Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Romans 7:24-25 Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!
THE RESCUER
About a month ago on Lake Michigan near Waukegan, IL, the captain of a charter fishing boat took six others out on what he thought would be a routine trip. However, the area was hit by an unusual spring storm and the 40 foot boat was quickly overwhelmed. The seven abandoned ship but were pulled underwater by the suction of the vessel as it sank. One by one they came to the surface where they waited for rescue. The question in the mind of each one was: "Who will rescue me?" Then in the last possible moments, before weakness and hypothermia claimed them all, the sound of a helicopter was heard above the wind. A swimmer was sent into the water and one by one all seven were drawn to safety. The question "Who will rescue me?" had been answered.
The Apostle Paul once asked the same question. Although he did not cry out while struggling for breath in Lake Michigan, his situation was no less real and no less serious. The "waves" that crashed around him and threatened to drown him forever were his own sins -- waves which had the potential to lead him away from Christ and separate him from God.
"Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Jesus is the great Rescuer who comes down from heaven. He deals with sin's accusations and temptations. As Scripture says (Romans 8:1), "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
