Several years ago, my wife came home with tears running down her face. “You have to listen to this song,” she said. I found the song and sat down to listen. Soon, tears were flowing down my face. The song was by a wonderful Christian artist, Lauren Daigle, titled “Rescue.” For me, the entire song was emotional, but the chorus was powerful:
I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It’s true, I will rescue you
I will never stop marching to reach you
In the middle of the hardest fight
It’s true, I will rescue you
My mind raced back to the times I was in incredible darkness and God rescued me. After years of running from God, I literally ran into Him. I wasn’t looking for Him, but He was looking for me.
I’ve written before about the time in Vietnam when an Army doctor pronounced my imminent death to my twin brother Ron. I was only 22 years old, and this was the third time I had been wounded — but this time was different. Nothing on the battlefield caused me to be filled with dread like hearing the doctor’s death sentence. I cried out to a God I didn’t really believe existed because there was no other place to turn.
The doctors referred to my recovery as “miraculous.” But, as a proud Marine, I took credit for my progress. After all, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” Ooh-rah! I thought my Marine Corps training had kicked in. I guess you could say I was “stuck on stupid”! After being medically retired from the Marines, I looked for the next challenge.
The Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775. My next opportunity was with another well-known organization founded in 1850. Pinkerton National Detective Agency was the largest and most famous private security and investigative company in the country. I buried myself in my work so I wouldn’t think about the emotional baggage I carried.
I said this recently, but combat isn’t the only life experience that leaves us wounded. Many of us were wounded by words people used against us — belittling, hurtful, malicious words. It’s a fact: hurting people hurt other people.
Recently, my pastor preached on the power of words. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it, will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)
Today, there are many people who have been wounded by words. But instead of learning from their painful past experiences, they become easily offended by the simplest of comments. Through the anonymity of social media, they attack others thinking that by belittling them, they will feel better about themselves. However, your satisfaction for demeaning someone else is short-lived. Your pain, fears, and insecurities are still there.
But, there is hope. The God that Lauren Daigle sang about is real! He cares for you and is the only One who can heal your broken, wounded heart. The only thing you have to do is call out to Him in your pain and ask for/receive the forgiveness of your sins. Then we will be able to see ourselves through His eyes, loved and accepted, because of the price Jesus Christ paid for you on the cross.
God the Father knows where you are and He is sending out His angels to rescue you.
Something to be thankful for!
Semper Fidelis
