AUG. 30, 2013
Risks
and Rescue
Read: Romans
16:1-7
Greet Priscilla and Aquila . . . who risked their own necks for my
life.
—Romans 16:3-4
On
September 7, 1838, Grace Darling, the daughter of an English lighthouse
keeper,
spotted a shipwreck and survivors offshore. Together, she and her father
courageously
rowed their boat a mile through rough waters to rescue several people.
Grace
became a legend for her compassionate heart and steady hand in risking her
life
to rescue others.
The
apostle Paul tells us of another man and woman team who took risks to rescue
others. He wrote about Priscilla and Aquila, his fellow workers in Christ, who
“risked
their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also
all the churches
of the Gentiles” (Rom. 16:3-4).
We
are not told exactly what “risk” Paul was referring to, but with beatings,
imprisonment, shipwrecks, and threats of death so common to Paul’s ministry,
it’s not
hard to see how this couple could have put themselves in harm’s way to
help their friend. Apparently, Paul’s rescue was more important to them than
their own safety.
Rescuing
others—whether from physical or spiritual danger—often carries a risk. But
when
we take a risk by reaching out to others, we reflect the heart of our Savior
who
gave up so much for us.
The hand of God protects our way
When we would do His will;
And even when we take a risk,
We know He’s with us still. —D. DeHaan
When you’ve been rescued, you’ll want to rescue others.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
