“Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you.” Psalm 143:9
About 25 years ago, my parents and I boarded our black Dodge Neon to head up to visit Northern IL University campus to consider it for my next 4 years. It felt like a long drive up through a lot of cornfields. By the end of the visit, I think I had made the decision towards a different college plan. As we made the drive back home, all of a sudden the car slowed to a stop and as my dad pulled off, we realized something had happened… While it was slightly affirming to me, it was a royal pain nonetheless. Our car had run out of gas! See I had been telling my parents that gas gauge was off when I ran out of gas another time. But I likely appeared a teenager who didn’t know when to fill the tank. However, when dad runs out of gas, now my credibility is upped about 100%. So from that day forward, we knew at a quarter tank, fill er up!
We sat on the side of the highway miles from a gas station trying to figure out what to do. This was in the days before smart phones. We had the option of waiting or walking. I’m not sure my dad believed someone would stop, because, do people really do that? I mean often we are taught to be wary of stopping for a stranger in need on the side of the road. Did he get his entire family out to walk miles to a gas station and back? Did he leave us behind? I can only imagine the thoughts running through his head when just about the time a decision needed to be made, a vehicle pulled to a stop behind us. A man you may have never expected to stop came walking up to the vehicle and offered to help. We had been rescued.
I didn’t attribute that rescue to God back then. Nope, I am not sure I even prayed in that car. It was a time in my life I had mom and dad to care for a lot of details and I just worried about schoolwork and the immediate things I needed to take care of. I hadn’t felt desperate enough to pray I guess nor realize its value fully. But the more life I have lived, the more I have realized that God shows up best in desperate, impossible circumstances. Times when no one else can explain the miracle but that it was divine.
This week, I was blessed again with a ride from a stranger. My vehicle needed new brakes, and while planned, my boys and I were without wheels and a “stranger” took us where we needed to go while we waited. Another “stranger” picked us back up when it was time. As we sat on a bench waiting for our return trip back, I realized God had rescued me twice that day already and it was only lunch time. Not only had He helped us get the vehicle repaired and us in a safe place while we waited, but even more was the rescue of my spirit. The days leading up to that, I felt the pain of Psalm 143, a psalm of David.
“Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
Do not bring your servant into judgement, for no one living is righteous before you.
The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the round; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.
So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on your works and consider what your hands have done.
I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.
Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
For your name’s sake, Lord, Preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.”
Psalm 143
It is hard to explain why sometimes you get in a funk. You can look around and see a bounty of blessings but the fiery arrows of the world seem to come in and pierce your heart in a way you see only the attack and it can feel overwhelming at times. We are reminded that:
“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
But it sure feels like our enemies are the people around us sometimes, doesn’t it? When the hurts roll in, harsh words come out, promises come up short, false accusations made, and it sure feels like the person doing those things is the problem.
But God…
He reminded me this week as He rescued me from my spiritual despair that all of us are facing the same battle every day. It may present differently in each of our lives, but it is the same one, against our one true enemy, Satan. The one who roars like a lion but isn’t one (1 Peter 5:8); the one who masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14); and the one who leads the whole world astray (Revelations 12:9). He wants us confused and pointing fingers at one another rather than coming together and offering grace and forgiveness. He wants us doubting our worth and ability. He wants us isolated.
God sent a rescue team to remind me of these things. It wasn’t in a truck with flashing lights, it was a beautiful parade of subtle reminders He sees me, He is proud of me, and He needs me to believe in myself because there are a lot of others who need to be seen as well. His hand reached down, pulled me up and here I am reminding you of the same things today.
You Matter! What you do matters! Who you are matters! What you feel matters!
Father, allow all of us to believe that you truly do love us. Help our eyes see truth. Help us love others as you love us. Help us forgive quickly and offer grace when needed. Ignite our passion inside for the things you have called us to do. Breathe new life into us when we feel weak and worn. Thank you for trusting us to do your work here on earth. Help us rise up with our armor on to take on the next leg of our journey. We love you, we appreciate you, and we need you. In Jesus name we offer this prayer, Amen.
P.S. Today’s image is not of the black Dodge Neon (I couldn’t find a picture), but at a similar time with my first vehicle. A time when I am sure God rescued me more times than I realized or appreciated. Thank you Father!
Love, Julie
Father, Today I Surrender:
My Rescue
Show me the next step I should take.