PSALMS OF ASCENT!

PSALM 124:7-8

Escaped
WE HAVE ESCAPED LIKE A BIRD OUT OF THE FOWLERS SNARE; THE SNARE HAS BEEN BROKEN, AND WE HAVE ESCAPED. OUR HELP IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. (PSALMS 124:78 NIV)
RABBITS ESCAPE ROUTE RESPONSE

The Psalmist has experienced Gods deliverance. There is nothing quite like the joy of escape. Whether it is escape from danger or punishment, the relief is palpable and euphoric. My father traps rabbits (they eat his vegetables) and when caught they are dealt with in a way that ensures they will not trouble the cabbages any further. One day my wife and my son discovered a particular rabbit caught in a trap before my father found it. Rather than bringing his attention to the matter, they took the rabbit to the garden fence, opened the door to the trap and set the rabbit free into the elds surrounding the garden. Needless to say, the bunny did not stick around, but bounded off into its unexpected freedom. If it had been able to sing I am sure it would have given us a rendition of Ive been redeemed.

Christians are people who have taken the escape route offered by the sacrice of Jesus, and who rejoice in their good fortune. What is the escape route? Paul summarises it here, Or dont you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. (Romans 6:15 NIV) Repentance led us to the escape door (2 Corinthians 7:10) and baptism took us through it. Have you taken this escape route? If not, why not contact someone who can teach you and show you the way to escape? If you have taken this escape route, are you still singing? Rescue is a miracle and it makes us sing!

Since we have escaped the old life to this new life, how are we meant to live? Peter puts it like this, His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:34 NIV) We are destined to be like Jesus - if we keep growing (see the rest of 2 Peter chapter 1). And growing happens as we we stay grateful. Our lives are not easy - every day we put faith, hope & love on the line and look to see what God will do. This is a risky business. But it is worth it because our faith is in Gods power, Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalms 20:7 NIV)

Malcolm Cox, email: malcolm.cox@iccmissions.org | ICC Missions on facebook | www.nwlcc.org