Look upon all my misery and come be my hero to rescue me, for I will never forget what you’ve revealed to me. Psalm 119:153
Who is Your Favorite Super-Hero?
In this crazy world, everyone is looking for a hero; someone who will swoop in and save the day, putting an end to the chaos. But lately, even Superman and Captain America seem to have lost their luster and mystical powers. Hope has evaporated like rain on a hot Florida sidewalk and society has lost its way. We have been relegated to the mundane, relying on dwindling natural resources and intellect.
Well, that sounds bleak and dramatic, so let’s redeem this quickly!
I Needed Rescued
There was a time I got a job. It was one I hadn’t applied for, but it was an answer to prayer. I literally prayed at breakfast and had a job by dinner. (Maybe with such a good connection to heaven I should have asked for a few more things!) The position was perfect for my situation; it paid well, and I really enjoyed my colleagues and clients.
Sadly, after a few great years, it stopped being enjoyable, and worse, it became increasingly difficult to manage the stress. Did I mention it was a good-paying job?
Despite the relational strain, the fear of saying or doing the wrong thing, and the sleepless nights, I trudged on because I wasn’t willing to give up my paycheck even if it killed me. I knew my heart and body were suffering, but I chose to keep my head down and continue—doing my best to learn and maintain a positive attitude.
And Just Like That . . .
And just like that, the department was gone, and I was unemployed. The news came as I landed on the tarmac in Detroit, Michigan. It’s not really the sort of news you want to hear after a transatlantic flight with little to no sleep.
But as quickly as the rush of questions and disbelief flooded my heart and mind, I heard the Lord say, “I rescued you. I did for you what you couldn’t do for yourself.” That night, He was my hero.
Jehoshaphat Needed a Hero
Jehoshaphat was confronted with an even greater challenge than a dismantled department. He faced a massive army closing in quickly. Jehoshaphat was terrified, understandably so; there was no natural solution: his army wasn’t strong enough, the time to prepare had passed, and there was no “rent-an-army hotline” to call for backup. So he did the only thing he could. He prayed.
God’s response to the prayers of Jehoshaphat and the people was, “I’m the hero of this story” You just need to show up, take your position, stand still and watch what I will do.
So, the next morning, Jehoshaphat and his army began to march toward the enemy. Imagine how unreasonable the plan must have seemed to everyone involved. They knew they were outmatched and doomed to fail. Possibly worse than that, picture yourself in the tribe of Judah; the ones sent out first. These were the worshipers, not the warriors!
What turned things around wasn’t the sheer act of obedience; it was worship. As soon as they began to sing, before Jehoshaphat and his army even arrived, the enemies began fighting each other. The scene that awaited them, when they dared to look out over the valley, was nothing but bodies scattered all over the ground.
God was the hero of the story. He did for them what they could not do for themselves. Not only did they win the battle, but there was so much loot that it took three days to gather it up. That is a lot of stuff! Every trip back to the city was a celebration of God’s faithfulness and a reminder of His power to save, even against the most fierce enemy.
What is a True Hero?
True heroes are moved by compassion and use every available resource to resolve dangerous and deadly situations. The people they help are usually not in a position to return the favor and we celebrate them because of their bravery and selflessness.
Salvation moments are God’s specialty and delight. His promise to be our hero never changes. He is the anchor we can hold onto when everything else is unsure and unsteady. There is no guarantee that nothing unexpected will happen or that there won’t be pain on our journey. What is true is that we have an ever vigilant hero who is present and ready to step into those places with us. Isaiah 59:1 puts it this way, “Listen! TheLORD’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call”.
Do You Need a Hero?
Do you need a hero? God is not aloof or far off. He is close, present, and ready to intervene. When a situation requires a new level of trust, ask Him to show you where He is and what He is doing. Take some time to imagine what rescue might look like in your situation. You don’t have to know every detail of the journey to know who holds you during every moment. His promises are still true. His presence is still near. His arm is still strong enough to save. And He is the greatest hero of all time.