“For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood. Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. So, you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.” (2 Peter 2:4-9 NLT)
I have an assignment for you today. But before I describe the task the Lord will be grateful to you for performing, let me give you a parallel, real-life story that I read about, pertaining to a man who was rescued on a sinking boat in St. Augustine, Florida.
A video aired on a Tampa television station shows the Coast Guard rescuing a 25-year-old man who had been lost at sea and had spent the night, 12 miles from the shore. The boat he was in was half way submerged and on its way to sinking. This young person was in a life-threatening situation. Thank God that someone in an airplane had their eyes open and visualized what could have ended in death. The United States coast Guard was notified, and the young man was brought back to the shore.
This life-saving event is true, but it is also typical of anybody who does not know Christ as their Savior. This includes many young men and women. They are sinking in darkness after venturing out on sinful vessels that seem like no danger is posed or possible. Don’t they know that the wages of sin is death? Don’t they have the right to being saved? They just need rescued, and we need to be like the person in the airplane who saw the young man sinking in the true story above and notify someone who has all the tools and equipment, in other words, persons equipped with the right words from scripture and personal experience to help keep someone from sinking and experiencing the eternal reality that the unsaved face. Your assignment this week is to be one of the people who reach out to those who are sinking in darkness, lost in the sea of life, and who are in need of help by individuals who know that the Lord can save them. That described you, didn’t’ it? So, send this meditation to some young man or young woman who fits one of the following categories: lost, stolen, or strayed. That’s your assignment. But wait, there is more. You need some instructions on how to carry out your assignment.
I would advise that you attach a note to this meditation, not being condemning or condescending, but rather write in a compassionate way, communicating that you too were once in the same situation until Jesus saved you.
Yes, be open and transparent. That should be easy to do, for we all can identify with the words composed by James Rowe in 1912, “I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore. But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry. From the waters, lifted me, now safe am I.” And don’t forget to add, “Love lifted me!” Then get serious in your note, and mention the love of God, including the fact that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
After you have read this, react, and reach out. Don’t be like what my momma used to tell her women’s Sunday School classes, “We are to be missionary, and not mission-every.” God bless Momma! God bless you too, for taking on your rescue mission, your assignment. Keep in mind, as you learned from the verses above and below, (1) The Lord will save. (2) The Lord is not going to wait forever. Have a tremendously good Tuesday. Be blessed!
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King