LIFELINE
noun: a line used by astronauts and divers to keep contact in a dangerous situation; something regarded as indispensable for maintaining or preserving life
“…We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God.” Hebrews 6:18-19
I hope I never need one. A lifeline, I mean. I almost can’t breathe when I think of how it would feel to be struggling in the water or floating in space without something to hold onto. No way to communicate or escape. Facing certain death unless someone throws a rope to me. I’ll do everything I can to keep myself out of a situation that desperate.
But no matter how hard we try to stay safe, we can’t prevent every bad thing from happening to ourselves or the people we care about. Sometimes we need help, support, or intervention to survive. That’s why there are thousands of rescue organizations. Appropriately, many of them have the word lifeline in their titles. All of them provide critical services such as disaster relief, rehabilitation, suicide prevention, and the distribution of emergency food and water. Helping people, saving lives, and providing hope.
Hope.
Don’t we all need it?
The promised hope of being rescued by Jesus is offered to everyone.
The lifeline he’s holding out for us is available 24/7, no matter where we are or what we are up to. Easy to reach. Unbreakable. A direct connection to God himself.
The hope that is given to us is unbreakable, unyielding, durable. It never weakens or fails. It holds firm and strong forever. Our verse for today words it this way: “reaching past all appearances.” No matter what we see happening. No matter what we are worrying about. Straight from panic to peace.
The lifeline of hope that comes from Jesus anchors us securely. We will never be drifting alone or left to drown as long as we are holding on to him. What relief! What confidence and joy! He is our true Savior. He is the only one who can keep us safe. He is the only one who can rescue us from every doubt and fear and loss.
Invite Him In
You don’t have to struggle through this day, this life on your own. You don’t have to save yourself. He is reaching out to you with indescribable hope and peace. He will keep you safe and strong. All you have to do is trust him. Grab this lifeline he offers with both hands. And then hold on tight and never let go.
Excerpted with permission from Just One Word, by Susie Crosby, published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon, 97408. Copyright 2018, Susie Crosby. www.harvesthousepublishers.com