“Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” (Genesis 14:13–14, ESV)
Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. In the darkness, despair is all we can see. When we are trapped what can we do? Who do we cry out to? How can we escape when we have no power to do so?
As tears run down our faces, God sees our pain. When there are no solutions God alone can intervene! And so He does, daily, repeatedly, often. If we listen more closely, if we tune our hearing to the stories of others around us, we will hear the footfalls of the One who alone is mighty to save.
In their stories, we hear lines like, “And then, out of nowhere …” “I don’t know how that happened …” “A total stranger came along …” These familiar and “coincidental” happenings are so common as to stagger the imagination when they are cataloged.
And that is just it. We need to start paying attention to the works of God all around us. This is the work of a believer. Unfortunately, we are far more often doubters in this life.
Yet, despite our unbelief and our depression over our current circumstances, God still works. He is always on the Throne and His love – exceeding love – never fails His own. And so, “then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew.”
While we don’t know anything about this person, their anonymity reminds us that God can and will use anyone at anytime to unlock the prison of pain and suffering we are in. God will send someone in His time to bring relief and release. God loves us that much.
Perhaps no one sees your chains. It might be that none of your family or friends are aware of the abuse or the harassment you endure. Be assured there is One who sees all and is mounting a rescue mission as you read these words. “Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4, ESV) Help is on the way!
Turn-Around Tuesdays are designed to bring hope and help, insight and encouragement to those of us who are simply overwhelmed by the flood of problems life throws at us. No one is immune to trials and troubles, but God has a way of lifting us from life’s torrents. Each short thought is written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and comes from his life-journey with the God who never leaves us or forsakes us. He welcomes your comments below.
