All of you have seen the struggle, the perseverance, the prayers and the miraculous deliverance of these men from the jaws of death…
The Chilean miners emerging from the depths of a cave that sealed their potential doom and was their den of danger for over 69 days! You can read all about the rescue and see some pictures here via this New York Times article.
As I watched, I’m struck by the resiliency of these men and the rescuers. I’m awed by the grace and mercy of God to protect and preserve them from the tons of rubble collapsing in the first place and the provision during the longest duration of being trapped in history. It was feared to only be a search, but Camp Hope turned into a search and rescue of epic proportions.
It reminds me: God takes delight in rescuing. He loves to bring folks up from the depths…
I can’t wait to hear their stories, the tales of all that transpired under ground. It’s the story of despair that was rescued and exchanged for a renewed story of hope.
It is the same exchange for many others that I know. They may not be miners, but life caved in on them. They share their story of being “trapped” in a life of darkness, only to be set free by a breakthrough of “light and life” through Jesus. It’s something to see and hear about those rescue stories…
It reminds me of the psalmist’s (King David) words in Psalm 103
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
And Psalm 86 (click for full Psalm)
13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.
God loves and longs to rescue those trapped in darkness…to set them free to a life of hope awash in the beautiful light of His Son. I don’t know if you’ve ever experienced that reality…many have throughout history. Many of my friends have recently. There is still room for you, for your friend, for your neighbor, for classmates, teammates and family members. Pray for their rescue.
Celebrate the rescue of this moment for these men and pray for a continued celebration of many on an eternal scale!
How has God redeemed you from the pit? How has your story been rescued? What was some of your thoughts as you watched this rescue?