AGAIN

adverb: another time, once more, anew

“And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing.” 2 Corinthians 1:10 MSG 

Something had gone really wrong. Several years into Paul’s missionary work, he reached a low point. It’s not clear exactly what happened to him on this particular part of his journey, but it must have been terrible. Even though he wasn’t in actual prison at this time, he was discouraged and worn down to the point of wanting to die.

And God came to rescue him. God knew exactly what Paul needed, and he brought it all to him. He mercifully tended to his heart, giving him reassurance, rest, and friends to help him through.

Immediately after Paul credited God with saving him, he wrote, “And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing.”

 I love that.

I need that.

Paul described his experience this way: “It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it.”

Many of us have times like that in our memories, and most of us can probably expect them in the days to come. Some of us are going through unbelievably hard stuff right now. When we go through these times of pain and panic, we can remember that we are never alone. God sees us struggling and understands completely. He knows what we need and will bring it to us right on time.

Through this story of God’s faithfulness, Paul encourages us to remember that God is willing and able to rescue us again and again and again. As often as we need Him to.  

He never tires of it, or of us.

Sometimes I worry that I might be using up my punch card with God. Like I might run out of rescues if I ask too many times. But this promise reminds me that God’s love and protection for us has no limits. It will never run out, and it will always be abundantly available for whatever we are struggling with.

Depression. Fear. Illness. Betrayal. Abandonment. Loss. Heartbreak.

He comes to our rescue. Once more. Anew. Again and again.

We can say, “Help, God,” without doubt, without self-condemnation. We can say it with all confidence and hope in our endlessly patient Father. Because he is not one bit surprised or irritated that we are asking him another time. And he is already on his way.

INVITE HIM IN

Thank him that he is ready to help you whenever you ask, wherever you are, no matter how many times you have asked for help before. Let him wash away your shame and fear. You can completely trust him and count on his loving rescue again and again.