What are we to do? We are to trust and obey and draw near to Him.
A man was walking down the street and fell into a deep sinkhole. He was injured and crying out for help as a physician was passing by. When the physician heard the man he ran over to the hole and called down, “I can see you are hurt. When you get out, come by my office so I can treat your injuries.”
The desperate man continued to call for help when a lawyer passed by and heard him. He too called down to the injured man. “This was very unfortunate and you have an excellent case for a lawsuit. When you get out, come by my office and we can get started on the paperwork.”
The poor man was beginning to lose hope when a friend happened along and heard the familiar voice. The friend ran to the hole and without hesitation jumped in. The injured man was startled at first but when he recognized his friend he exclaimed “Why did you do that?! Now we’re both stuck in this hole.” But his friend replied, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve been in this hole before and I know the way out.”
This story which is often told in recovery circles illustrates our redemption and our freedom. We’ve all fallen into sin and none of us could find our way out on our own. We’ve all needed to be rescued or we would die in sin. We needed someone who knew the way out, someone to lead us to freedom. Jesus is that friend and when we experience his love and power to save and to heal us we’ve experienced the greatest gift. Now, we have a great opportunity and responsibility to show others the way out and the way into a relationship with God.
“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.” -Galatians 6:1 (NLT)
When I think of the children of Israel and their leader, Moses, I’m reminded of God’s heart for those He loved and his power to deliver them from their bondage in Egypt. God showed His power and justice by judging and punishing the Egyptians and their gods when He brought on those horrible plagues. His purpose was to show the world his power and glory. But it was also to lead his people, the nation He had rescued, into a relationship with Him. God brought his people out so He could draw them close. He gave them His laws to protect and guide them so they would be his holy people. He gave them instructions for building a place of worship, the tabernacle, so he could dwell in their midst. He led them with his cloud and fed them manna until the day they entered the Promised Land. He did all this to show them and to show us that He can be trusted to save us from sin, care for our needs and lead us home.
What are we to do? We are to trust and obey and draw near to Him. He is calling us to this new life of freedom in Christ. He’s calling us to Himself.
