6 Powerful Ways God Rescues Us

Christmas and Easter are rescue bookend stories for those lost in sin and disbelief. Jesus came to earth as a humble baby on Christmas for the sole purpose of dying a humiliating death on a cruel cross and then rising to life three days later on Easter to offer all who believe in Him a rescue from their past sins. Wow! Who does something like that? Only God, our Rescuer. 

When we repent from our sins and ask our Father in Heaven for forgiveness for every bad thing we’ve ever done, the sin slate is wiped clean, and we’re given a spiritual rebirth. A fresh start. We were sinking in our sins, and like a lifeguard pulling a drowning person out of the waves, God reached down and rescued our souls. Every mistake, every struggle, every bad decision, and every sin we’ve ever committed is gone. All our shame and guilt died with Christ on the cross. He paid our sin price when He took the world’s sins onto His heaving shoulders.  

Then, when He arose three days later out of that tomb, He conquered death, hell, and the grave for every believer. It may seem too good to be true, but that’s the Good News of The Gospel. It changes everything in every believer’s life. We’re “born again.” The old self is cast off as we become new creations destined to reign with Christ for eternity. 

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” - John 3:3

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. - Romans 6:6

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” - Isaiah 43:25

However, unlike Jesus, who lived a perfect life, in our humanity, we inherited a sinful nature that requires continual dependence on our Rescuer for forgiveness and the reminder to go and sin no more. We also have a tendency to either take our salvation for granted, try to earn it, or forget we’ve been victoriously rescued. We need to remember the power and freedom we have in Christ and that God will always rescue us from trials, troubles, temptations, and turmoil. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9

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A message from friends at the end of the year was a beautiful testimony of trusting God in all circumstances, even the hard ones. They wrote, “Our year also had its ups and downs, but GOD has also been so very good to us, that we don't worry about the downside - we know it will pass.” These friends recognize God as their Rescuer during opposition and obstacles, so they don’t worry or fret. They still praise God, knowing He will always come through for them. What a sweet assurance. 

I find refuge in the Psalms when I’m under attack from the enemy who knows my weaknesses. King David faced ongoing opposition from his predecessor, King Saul, and even from his own son. What a heartache that would be, but David knew where to go with his sorrow and angst. He knew God would rescue him, and God did. Even though David didn’t lead a perfect life and had consequences for his sins, God chose to use him as He will use us. 

After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ - Acts 13:22

David cried out to God for deliverance from peril and we can do the same. But sometimes God makes us wait. In Psalm 13:1-3 David asks God, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?”

Another time David pleaded with God, “Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes.” - Psalm 69:17-18

Always, David trusted God to forgive and rescue him.

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. - Psalm 13:5-6

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. - Psalm 40:1-2

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As hard as we try, we can’t rescue ourselves without God. He tells us in His Word, the Bible, how and where to seek Him for saving answers, directions, positions to take, and choices to make. Problems arise when we don't pray, search the Scriptures, or seek wise godly counsel for guidance because our sinful pride fools us into thinking we can handle this one ourselves. 

Like the Israelites, God may let us wander lost in the wilderness of confusion and bewilderment until we come to Him, our Rescuer, for help. God’s Son, Jesus, knows what we struggle with because He experienced everything we experience. He understands our humanness and our frailness. At the cross, Jesus conquered this inner battle and became our Savior. But we have free will, so God may wait for us to realize we’ve come to the end of ourselves before intervening to rescue us. 

Much of our heartache and disappointment occurs because we don’t seek God first. When we do call on Him, surrender our will to His will, and mean it, we feel relief. We can then sincerely pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:9-10). 

It’s not about us. It’s all about Him working in and through us. What a joy to experience the Lord’s presence in us. 

But the Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.” - Judges 10:15

Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. - Acts 7:25

Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. - Psalm 27:9

For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die. - Psalm 48:14 NLT

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The Good News of The Gospel is Jesus coming to earth to rescue a fallen, dark, and secular world for those who believe in Him and surrender their life to Him. In 1939, with the outbreak of war in Britain, King George VI used his Christmas Day radio broadcast to encourage citizens to put their trust and hope in God. Quoting a poem from his mother, he said, “Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.” He didn’t know what the New Year would bring, but he trusted God to rescue them in the perilous days ahead.

In today’s secular culture, where wrong is considered right and evil good, it’s easy to become discouraged, wondering where God is. The answer is He’s right with us and in us if we’ve asked Him into our hearts. If we let Him, He will guide us through the treacherous worldly labyrinths and show us how to let our light of holiness and righteousness shine. He wants us to share what Jesus has done in our lives to help rescue others who are wandering in the darkness.

I recently heard a testimony from a young man who was so discouraged he was ready to take his own life, but God used another man’s crisis to rescue this young man. He went into a restaurant to have one last meal and the man sitting across from him began to share a story of his wife wanting a divorce. This man said he still loved his wife, but she didn’t love him. That’s when the light went off in the young man’s heart. He realized God loved him deeply, but he wasn’t loving God back. He ran to his truck and gave his life to Christ. Today, he’s doing full-time ministry in the streets of Los Angeles. God rescues us so that we can, in turn, help others to experience a rescue.   

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age." - Psalm 69:17-18

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." - Colossians 1:13-14

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Anxiety, worry, and fear are rampant. The mainstream media thrives on creating angst with negative and fearmongering stories that flood social media and our electronic devices. God doesn’t want us living in fear. Jesus says, “Take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:34). The Lord assures us, “I know the plans I have for you... they are for good and not for disaster” (Jer. 29:11). Yet, still we encounter sleepless nights worrying about illness, safety, finances, loved ones... the unknown.

As Christians, we must remember our salvation provides us protection to quiet our fears and anxious souls. God promises to deliver us from everything we fear. God says 82 times in the Bible, “Fear not.” I have a friend who says when her mind is racing and fear overtakes her, she stops and whispers, or sometimes shouts, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” There’s just something calming about that name, reminding us He will never leave or forsake us. He’s our shelter in the storm. He’s our Savior. Protector. Rescuer. We can rest peacefully and fear not. 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10

You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. - Isaiah 25:4

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. - Psalm 46:1

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Life is fragile and only God knows the numbers of our days. Scripture reminds us our permanent home is in Heaven. We’re just passing through this earthly world to reach our eternal home with God. We’re assured as believers of that final, most important, rescue. God’s rescuing salvation offered to us freely delivers us from death, hell, and despair. 

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! - Romans 7:24-25

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? - 1 Corinthians 15:54-56

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” - Revelation 21:3-4

God shows no favoritism or DEI in whom He saves. He doesn’t rescue us by age, race, class, or gender. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord can and will be rescued and saved. 

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; - Isaiah 43:1-3

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