BBD 08.30.05 The Rescue
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
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08.30.05
The Rescue
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt
you in due time, casting all your care (anxiety - NIV) upon Him, for He
cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:6-7.
I have been watching some of the rescues being made of people stranded by
the flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina. Many, including entire families,
are being rescued from their rooftops by Coast Guard and National Guard
helicopters and crews. It appears that many cut their way through the roof
of their home to escape the rising water and most have been waiting for help
for many hours.
It is fascinating to watch the rescues with some helicopters being equipped
with a metal basket, which is lowered by cable. A crew member first descends
to the roof where the people are waiting and then one person at a time must
climb into the basket and be raised to safety up to the helicopter. I am
sure it is frightening and in fact is dangerous with fallen power lines
around. Sometimes it takes several tries for the basket to actually be
lowered close enough for the crew member to safely grab it.
The first verse that came to my mind while I was watching the rescue was 1
Peter 5:7 because the rescues appear to be similar to what we need to do
spiritually. Peter says we should cast all of our "cares" or "anxieties"
upon God. Why? Because He cares for us.
What are some of the cares or anxieties that you have? Are you worried about
something? Are you depressed? Do you have financial problems, job problems,
family problems, or an addiction? Whatever the care or anxiety God calls
upon us to place those spiritual burdens upon Him. How do we do that? It is
very similar to the actions of the person being rescued from the flood
waters. You could say that God is the holding the basket. We must place
ourselves along with all of our cares and anxieties into that basket and
trust that God will be able to carry the load. We must sever our trust upon
our own abilities and trust God to do what we are unable to do.
It sounds easy enough, however, for many there is a problem and that problem
is pride. It is difficult for so many to admit that they need help even if
it is to God that they admit it. It takes some humility to get into that
basket as Peter writes, "humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time".
We would think that it was very foolish if someone stranded on one of the
rooftops with water rising to refuse to get into the basket, to refuse to be
rescued because they want to rescue themselves. We would think that was so
very sad and foolish. But that is what we are doing when we refuse to allow
God to help us. Cast all of your cares and anxieties upon God because He
does care about you and He has the power to help. Get into the basket!
Copyright © 2005. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
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Please pray for the following, the full prayer requests are at
http://www.theburningbush.net: Please pray for those affected by Hurricane Katrina
and those involved in rescue/cleanup or helping in any way. Pray also for
Dolores, Jim Orange, Sue, Joshua, Alta, Richard, Alicia, Amanda, Joey,
Madison D and add'l requests, Rita's family, Mona's family, William, Marc,
Morgan, Ashleigh, Jason's family, and Mark.
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