“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”
Yes, saved FROM…
We Christians ask the Lord Jesus to save us from, or out of our troubles time and time again. And of course, he does!
Not only are there moments of deliverance where we feel freedom from the trouble and leave it behind us, but there is that ultimate salvation coming when we stand in glory with him and our labors here are over and tears no longer flow. As a foretaste of salvation fulfilled and complete, we praise the Lord for the many ways in which God answers our prayer now so definitively and circumstantially.[1]
But also, saved IN…
There is a salvation in or during the trouble that brings the comfort of God’s Presence to my soul and perseverance of faith to my walk with him.
During these days, I could argue that this is the most common way that we experience practically our salvation in Christ, but who of us can measure the grace of God to us (there’s so much we don’t see and can’t know of what he does for us every day).[2]
So, I am simply grateful that not only is their salvation for us in Christ FROM trouble but that he saves us IN and THROUGH our trouble.[3]
And so we pray,
“Lord Jesus, we desire your salvation in this trouble!”
As Jeremiah said, “if you save me, Lord, I am saved. If you heal me, I am healed.” [4] But wait, Lord, when I read of his life, I read the prophet was not saved from the trouble that came upon his people before he was saved in it.
The Lord gave Jeremiah devastating troubles, and tears. At one point Jeremiah prayed that he would be a spring of water so that he could weep enough for his people.[5]
But Jeremiah was saved IN the many struggles against despair and loss of faith by hope in God.[6] Thus, the Lord saved him IN the trouble for Himself, and Jeremiah in the middle of the day of trouble could say, “the Lord is my portion,” “the Lord is my praise!”
Lord Jesus, this morning I am seeing that much of the time on this side of Glory, you choose to save in the disaster rather than from it. In fact, most of the time the miracle I consciously rejoice in is not losing faith in you. Thank you. By your miracle working power in our lives as in Abraham’s case, against all hope we continue to have faith, to rest in your promise of blessing.[7]
The miracle of being saved in the trouble is the miracle of assurance that, God of Miracles, you are with me, that your rod (presence, guidance, protection) and your staff (miracle moments) will comfort, that you yourself will be the light IN the Dark Valley.[8]
As I approach this hammer toe surgery on the 13th, and 6 to 8 weeks of convalescence trying to keep weight off my right foot, once again Lord, I lay down my fear that I’ll be able to manage on my own and wait upon you to save me IN this time of trouble. Good Shepherd, as you warned, the devil is after me again today and would steal away my joy, crush my hopes, and destroy my faith.[9] But I stand quiet, trusting you Lord to take on the lion that would devour me.[10]
Heal Me Lord in this trouble and I will be healed. Save Me Lord in this trouble and I will be saved. I don’t need to be healed FROM it or saved from it, but I am lost if I’m not saved IN it.
Oh God, you are my praise!!
“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘in repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength.'” Isaiah 30:15 ESV
Additional Resources
Great Is Thy Faithfulness – Maranatha Music
[1] Revelation 14:13 NIV; Revelation 21:1-8 NIV; Rise up, Andrew Peterson
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