Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Rescue - Recuse - Secure (07/24/25)
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TITLE: S.O.S. | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
07/28/25 -
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Just before dawn, Jesus appeared, walking towards them on top of the water. When the disciples saw Him, they were terrified, thinking they were seeing a ghost!
Sailors, throughout the course of history, were known to be quite superstitious. One prevailing superstition of that day was the belief that just before a ship was about to sink, a soul that had previously perished at sea, would ominously appear.
We do not know if this superstition played a part in the fear that terrified the disciples or not, but we are told that Jesus calmed their fears by announcing that it was He that they were seeing.
Peter, took it a step further, saying, “Lord, if it is (really) YOU,” command ME to come to YOU (walking) on the water (Matt. 14: 28 NASB2020 parentheses mine).”
Following the Lord’s bidding to come, Peter stepped out of the boat, and began walking on the water towards the Lord.
The last thing that Peter expected when he stepped out of the boat was to shortly be in need of rescue! After all, he had the assurance of being able to walk on water from the Lord Himself.
“But when he saw the wind, (his enabling faith wavered and) he was afraid and began to sink, cried out, “Lord save me!” (Matt. 14: 30 NASB2020).”
In response, the Lord reached out and rescued him.
Second thoughts and accompanying fear, in the face of imminent harm, intimidation, or adversity, has defeated all of us at one time or another, in situations that could have brought glory to God, had we seen them through.
It may not always be as dramatic as the rescue of Peter, but God will protect, preserve, and rescue us, in order for each one of us to complete the work that He has begun in us (1).
This work refers to the individual, post salvation plan that He has in mind.
Some of the things that God does (2) are immediately completed at the moment of salvation, when one first believes in the presentation of the unadulterated Gospel Message.
Other things (3) involve ongoing processes, in which we experience a mixture of success and failures along the road to spiritual maturity.
Rescue scenarios are in view when we are in harm’s way and are without the human ability or human means to escape, or to endure.
It may involve a life-threatening situation in which our physical lives are in jeopardy, such as the near-drowning experience of Peter.
It may be a life-threatening health issue. It may be a situation where our bodies would otherwise receive severely disabling trauma.
I believe that we would be shocked to learn how many rescues through divine intervention have taken place in our behalf, without us even being aware of it.
Following a major disaster, we hear reports of how flat tires, wrong turns, phone calls, and last-minute change in plans, proved to be the means for many to have avoided becoming victims themselves.
Many such avoidances take place every day, as do divine deliverances in the midst of physical danger.
Then there are divine “rescues” that take place every day that we should be consciously aware of, and truly thankful for, as God maintains the integrity of our salvation (4), restores our *fellowship with the Him, and enables (5) us to move forward in the plan of God, no matter what.
*“If we CONFESS our SINS, He is faithful and righteous, so that He WILL forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1: 9 NASB2020}.”
Just as there was nothing that Fallen Man (apart from God) could do, or have done in his behalf by others, to atone for his pre-salvation sin, there is nothing (apart from God) that a born-again believer can do to atone for his ongoing post-salvation sin.
Salvation is an unearned, undeserved gift.
All unbelievers are spiritually dead, headed for Hell. They are in need (6) of divine rescue If they are to avoid experiencing the wrath of God for all of eternity future.
All born-again believers have been spiritually regenerated (7) and are headed for Heaven, but never-the-less are in the need of 1John 1: 9 daily rescues in order to avoid divine discipline (8), and or to move forward in the post salvation spiritual life, here on Earth.
(1) Phil. 1: 6 (2) Eph. 4: 30/Titus 3: 5 (3) 1John 1:9/Phil. 1:6/Rom. 14: 4 (4) Rom. 8: 1 (5) John 3: 5, 7 (6) John 15: 5 (7) Titus 5: 3 (8) Heb. 12: 6
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