Recovery Specialists

A few weeks ago, this area of our state endured a really cold winter blast lasting several days. Night temperatures were below zero and daytime's were only a few degrees above. The water company warned customers to protect the pipes in their homes and businesses, but for some people that caution was too little or too late.

On my way home from work one afternoon, I saw two large trucks parked outside the home of a neighbor down the street. "Recovery Specialists" was lettered on the vehicles, and I re-constructed the scenario. Pipes froze and burst during the extreme cold, then when warmer days returned so did the flow of water: soaking the floor, dripping through the ceilings perhaps, ruining carpets and damaging the owner's possessions. What a mess!

I have been thinking about the ultimate recovery specialist. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” (Luke 4:18, 19) The world needs a recovery specialist. As first created, it was good; God declared that it was. But because the people He formed in His own image had choices, the possibility of things going wrong existed. And they did. Knowing this would happen, God planned from the very beginning to provide the way to recover what was damaged. He would send His Son.

Not only the world in general, but people as individuals need the recovery specialist. We need the Good News of salvation that Jesus brought. We need release from our bondages, understanding for our blind spots, freedom from the things that overburden us. We need to experience God's favor, seeing Him through the Son as our loving Father. We are not equipped to do this on our own. We need to call in the "specialist."

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me.

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. (Psalm 86:1-7, 11-13)

He is always ready to respond. No extra charge for nights or weekends.

MaryMartha

Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

Art from http://wwwlsxc.hu/