In Search of a Hero

This is an emotional topic for me. It might be for you too; that’s ok. I think sometimes we want to run away from those big or dense emotions, rather than allowing ourselves to really feel the depths of them. This is one of those times to consider embracing big feelings. You’ll see why. 

My story is one of pain. My father abused me in many ways as a young girl, and I spent days and years asking God why He didn’t rescue me from that abuse. “God, couldn’t You just whisk me away? Get me out of here??” Nothing happened. I waited and begged, but it seemed like God wasn’t going to get me out of my pain. 

Many of you may have stories of pain: financial burdens. Health issues. Mental health issues. Loneliness. Maybe you’re in an abusive relationship. Whatever it is, it feels as if it’s never going to end, and you’re asking God to remove you from that situation. To rescue you from the pit. 

I think about Daniel, thrown into the lion’s den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, thrown into the furnace. Joseph, in prison for way too many years for a crime he didn’t even commit. Each one in prison, each one asking God for rescue. But for each one of these, God went on a rescue mission. Just when hope seemed lost, He showed up and answered the prayers of the prisoners. 

Maybe that’s you. Maybe you’re in a pit of your own, and you’ve been praying, begging, asking God over and over to save you. Rescue you. Maybe you’re still waiting on that prophetic word you got at that conference to come to pass (I’ve got a few of those!). “God, when are You gonna come through with that promise?” you wonder. 

Several years ago, I found myself curled up in a ball. I mean, a ball: sitting in my bathtub, rocking back and forth. I had been in so much pain for so many years, and I just wanted it to stop. I had resorted to some dark thoughts about ending my own life, and I was tired of it. “God, when will I feel joy again? I don’t even remember what it is!” 

But God. 

What I couldn’t see at the time was that God had the perfect rescue plan for me, the perfect healing plan for my pain. 

Elisha was facing a huge army of his enemy. He had a small army of his own, and he was a little freaked out looking out over this army. God allowed him to see the angelic army, God’s army, ready to do battle with Elisha’s enemies. This army was huge! God had a plan, and Elisha just needed to open his eyes to see it. 

God has a plan for each one of us too. Before we even speak it, God is planning our rescue. 

In the middle of my darkest days, a friend sent me a song over text. I didn’t want a song! I wanted a way out! 

If you know me at all, you know music is important to me, so I went ahead and listened as Lauren Daigle sang. I realized that while I wanted some big flashy rescue mission, God was speaking through a friend and through the words of a song. He was letting me know He hadn’t forgotten me. That He is my shelter and my armor, that I am not hopeless or defenseless. That He had already prepared my rescue, from the foundations of the earth. My healing was coming. 

God rescues us from our pain. He rescues us from our doubts and our insecurities, and He rescues us from shame. He rescues us from the inside out! Behold, He is doing a new thing! Get ready: your Hero is coming! He has gone to prepare a mansion for you, with all of your needs provided for: financial, physical, emotional–whatever it is. 

Pause for a moment, and read these lyrics. Let these words wash over you. Let Him lift you up and carry you, even in your darkest night. He is right there. He is your Hero, and He will rescue you. He has promised, and our Hero always fulfills His promises. 

“Rescue”

You are not hidden

There’s never been a moment

You were forgotten

You are not hopeless

Though you have been broken

Your innocence stolen

—

I hear you whisper underneath your breath

I hear your SOS

Your SOS

—

I will send out an army

To find you in the middle of the darkest night

It’s true, I will rescue you

—

There is no distance

That cannot be covered

Over and over

You’re not defenseless

I’ll be your shelter

I’ll be your armor

—

I hear you whisper underneath your breath

I hear your SOS, your SOS

—

I will send out an army

To find You in the middle of the darkest night

It’s true, I will rescue you

And I will never stop marching

To reach you in the middle of the hardest fight

It’s true, I will rescue you

—

I hear the whisper underneath your breath

I hear you whisper you have nothing left

—

I will send out an army

To find you in the middle of the darkest night

It’s true, I will rescue you

And I will never stop marching

To reach you in the middle of the hardest fight

It’s true, I will rescue you

—

Oh, I will rescue you

Writer(s): Jason David Ingram, Paul Brendon Mabury, Lauren Daigle (2018)