RESCUED!

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves… —Colossians 1:13

We were being tossed about on a very rough ocean in the night. The twelve foot boat stalled hours earlier, would not restart and the sea had continued to get progressively more unsettled. Water was coming into the boat as waves washed over it. We had to bail out the boat regularly. At mid-night the anchor let loose and we drifted further out in the ocean. Fortunately, it caught bottom again. Then about 4am we saw a light on the horizon. We got their attention with light that we had and about an hour later they were able to locate us and tow us to shore. They rescued us from being on the ocean in the darkness. Then we found out that the island was on hurricane alert!

Jesus rescued us from the “dominion of darkness” and qualified us “to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:12). The darkness blinded us as “the god of this world” kept us “captive to do his will” (II Corinthians 4:4; II Timothy 2:26). But, when we heard and believed the message of the gospel— “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3-4)— then we “were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Fellow follower of Jesus, He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, the captivity of Satan to do his will, the bondage of sin and defeated death in our lives— these no longer have power over us. We have been rescued to freely serve Him out of grateful hearts. May we do so.

Dear Father, thank You for rescuing me through Your Son, Jesus. Now, may I faithfully live for Him and grow in my love for Him as I understand more and more what He has saved me from and saved me to!