Rescue the Perishing
God's heart is to rescue those who are perishing.(Ezekiel 16:6) In the ancient world they had a terrible practice when an unwanted child was born. They simple threw the child out to die without cleaning it up or anything. This was a barbaric act. However, the child could be saved if someone would come to the rescue. What an act of love! This picture is used by the prophet Ezekiel to show what God did for the young nation of Israel, and it applies to God's heart for individuals, as well. Let's consider it this morning.
Israel was not born to important parents. The world did not care about them. In fact, their parents threw them out to die. God saw this new nation and rescued them to be His people, as an act of His love. He gave them everything they needed to thrive in this world, but eventually Israel turned to other gods, instead of the One to whom they owed their existence. The story turned from joy to great sorrow.
When we are saved much the same thing happens. We are born into this world, but the world does not care about us. Satan would use us for a while and just allow us to die a terrible death, but God comes to our rescue. Jesus died that we might have life and have it more abundantly. However, sometimes, after we are rescued by Jesus, we turn to other gods and forsake Him. What a tragedy. That is never His will. If we will follow Him completely, we can have the greatest life possible and eternity in heaven, because of the great grace of God.
Once we know the Lord, and have been rescued, it is our mission to be a part of rescuing others in the same condition as we were. Without us sharing the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ dying to save us and adopt us into His family forever, they will all die in their blood, never having been cleansed by Jesus. This is what we will do, if we have the heart of God to rescue the perishing.
Have you been rescued by the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, I would love to tell you how you can have a personal relationship with Him. If you have been rescued, who do you know who needs to be rescued? Please, do not leave them out in the world to die without hearing what Jesus did to bring them life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 18-20.
Israel was not born to important parents. The world did not care about them. In fact, their parents threw them out to die. God saw this new nation and rescued them to be His people, as an act of His love. He gave them everything they needed to thrive in this world, but eventually Israel turned to other gods, instead of the One to whom they owed their existence. The story turned from joy to great sorrow.
When we are saved much the same thing happens. We are born into this world, but the world does not care about us. Satan would use us for a while and just allow us to die a terrible death, but God comes to our rescue. Jesus died that we might have life and have it more abundantly. However, sometimes, after we are rescued by Jesus, we turn to other gods and forsake Him. What a tragedy. That is never His will. If we will follow Him completely, we can have the greatest life possible and eternity in heaven, because of the great grace of God.
Once we know the Lord, and have been rescued, it is our mission to be a part of rescuing others in the same condition as we were. Without us sharing the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ dying to save us and adopt us into His family forever, they will all die in their blood, never having been cleansed by Jesus. This is what we will do, if we have the heart of God to rescue the perishing.
Have you been rescued by the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, I would love to tell you how you can have a personal relationship with Him. If you have been rescued, who do you know who needs to be rescued? Please, do not leave them out in the world to die without hearing what Jesus did to bring them life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 18-20.