God Delights to rescue us
In our lives, we often find ourselves navigating unexpected twists and turns. Situations that we didn’t ask for, a diagnosis we didn’t expect, a relationship that ended, and seemingly never ending bondage to sin. If we are not properly grounded in relationship with Jesus, we can so often run to just about anything under the sun to rescue us. What if we came to understand that our rescue is just a cry away? What if we understood the One who created us does not delight in our struggle, but rather, delights in our rescue?
In reflecting on my life I see how God has used some of my deepest pain to illuminate how God delights in rescuing me in my most challenging moments.
When I think about God delighting in our rescue my mind immediately goes to Psalm 40. This Psalm was written by King David—a man known for both his victories and his trials. David faced disappointment, sin, and deep despair, yet he consistently turned to God. Take a look at Psalm 40:1-3:
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”
I can see the parallels between my experiences and the truths in this Psalm. David's life reminds us that we, too, can find hope and deliverance from God’s saving hand, no matter how deep our pits may be.
Looking back over the past 15 years, I can pinpoint three significant "pits" in my life:
The Pit of Despair: In my early adulthood, I found myself lost after a relationship ended abruptly. I spiraled into depression, feeling utterly alone. It was in my darkest hour, lying on my bedroom floor, that I cried out to God. In a quiet moment, He inclined to me, lifted me from that pit, and prompted me to reconnect with Jesus. This led me back to the church—a place where I found belonging, support, and began to grow quickly in Christ.
The Pit of Grief: A few years later, my husband Brian and I faced unimaginable loss when we experienced a second trimester loss of twins. The pain felt overwhelming, but through our church family’s love and care, we felt God’s presence become tangible, reminding us that we were never alone. Eventually, we were blessed with a healthy child, but the journey through grief made us rely on God’s sustaining grace and our faith community.
The Pit of Health Challenges: Most recently, I encountered severe health issues related to my lifelong struggle with Crohn’s Disease. A frightening battle with sepsis left me alone, scared, and unsure of the future. Yet, in the midst of that turmoil, my church rallied around me in prayer, and God once again demonstrated His faithfulness. I emerged from that experience healthy and transformed in my view of God.
In all these instances, I’ve learned that God’s timing is perfect, He sends His people to care for us, He stabilizes us, and He gives us a new song to sing while promising that by sharing our testimonies of His saving power others will hear and know Him as well.
When He lifts us from our pits, He doesn’t just pull us out and walks away; He sets our feet on solid ground. I envision Him, like a loving parent, cleaning us off and stabilizing us to move forward. This is the God we worship—a God who delights in bringing us back to a place of safety.
If you find yourself in a pit today, cry out to God. He is near, attentive, and ready to intervene. Whether through big moments or the quiet assurance of His presence, He is working on your behalf. He knows your struggles and delights in your rescue.
