A gripping story. Forty-one workers trapped underground for 17 days behind a 200 ft. wall of debris when the tunnel they were excavating collapsed. Experts warned that construction through this section of the Himalayas was very risky, citing the unstable topography. The warnings were ignored and no escape route made available. The workers were imprisoned in a tomb-like cave lacking structural integrity. They had no resources to work their way out. They were totally dependent on the rescuers outside to save them.
After many failed attempts, it was determined their only hope was to send in miners, willing to risk their own lives to manually dig a narrow passageway to reach the trapped men. Thankfully, this plan was successful and brought unspeakable joy to the workers and their families. The captives walked out as freed men; they breathed in new life! What gratitude they must have felt to those who never gave up on the rescue mission - or on them.
We too can suddenly find ourselves imprisoned in a dark cave - of fear, loneliness, anxiety - after a collapse in our “status quo”. Perhaps we ignored warnings, following the riskier path as it seemed more expedient. Maybe it’s a result of circumstances beyond our control. We find the resources we once depended upon prove useless. We become aware there is no escape route. We need a Rescuer!
Amazingly, Our Creator planned our rescue before we were born! He knew beforehand the state of our captivity, our suffering, whether due to our own sin, another’s selfishness, or the sin-nature of the world. He hears our cries for help -even now - when we’re in desperate need, and He desires above all, to save us. So, He offers us the only One Who has the resources, the only One willing to sacrifice His own life to pull us out of the pit. He offers His own Son.
The trapped workers could only hope to be rescued. We are promised salvation: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Let’s breathe in the joy of being rescued by the One who never gives up on His rescue mission - or on us: Jesus Christ, our Savior!
-Kathi Fritz (a featured writer and rescued member of COBI)
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