“Rescue Me”

It had been twenty-five years since Fontella Bass’s rhythm and blues single “Rescue Me” hit number one on the charts. She had no career to speak of, and she was penniless, tired, and cold. The only heat in her house came from a gas stove in the kitchen. She had strayed from her faith and the church where she started singing gospel songs as a child.

As she prayed, Fontella asked God for “a sign” to confirm that He heard her. Suddenly, she heard her hit song “Rescue Me” on a television commercial! To her, it was as if “the Lord had stepped right into my world!” Fontella was unaware that American Express had been using her song in a commercial and hadn’t been able to locate her to pay royalties.

Not only did she receive back-royalties, but new opportunities also began to open for her to sing. Shortly after that, she released a new album. But the best news is that she renewed her relationship with the Lord. “For so many years I tried doing it on my own, and it didn’t work,” she said. “Then I took it out of my hands and turned it over to Him, and now everything’s happening.”

The psalmist David wrote: “In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened, he saved me from all my troubles… . Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:6, 8 NLT). And what God did for David and Fontella Bass, He will do for you if you’ll only turn to Him.

Soul food: Num 34-36; Luke 9:18-27; Ps 138; Prov 4:14-17

Believe God for greater things

Some people think we’re not supposed to ask God for too much; otherwise, it’s selfish. But God wants you to ask. “You do not have because you do not ask.” If you’re not asking – then you’re not releasing your faith. Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29 KJV). You need to learn to pray bold prayers and expect and believe God for greater things. “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession” (Psalm 2:8 NKJV). That’s a bold prayer! But if God tells you to pray it, it’s because He is willing to answer it.

You may have a dream in your heart but don’t see how it could ever happen. Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish. He is a God of multiplication. He can multiply your time and help you to get more done. He can multiply your wisdom and help you to make better decisions. He can multiply your finances: “May He who supplies seed to the sower… multiply the seed you have sown” (2 Corinthians 9:10 NKJV).

Instead of being satisfied with merely surviving, God wants you to thrive. A survival mentality will keep you from God’s best. Shake it off and say, “God, you promised that what was meant for my harm, you would use to my advantage (See Romans 8:28 NIV). I may have been through the fire, the famine, and the flood, but I know it’s my time of favour. It’s my time to see more of your goodness in my life.” Believe God for greater things.

Soul food: Jam 1-2; Luke 5:1-11; Ps 91; Prov 3:3-4

Believe God for a breakthrough

The Bible says: “The Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, saying, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?’ The Lord said to him, ‘Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.’ So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, ‘God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water'” (vv. 9-11 NKJV).

Notice how David likened God’s power to the bursting forth of waters. He is saying that when God shows up and releases His power, it will be like a flood of His goodness, His power, His favour, His healing, His wisdom, His resources, and whatever else you need. Think about how powerful water is: Only a few feet of water can lift a huge car weighing thousands of pounds and push it all around. On the news we have seen entire houses and buildings carried downstream in torrents of water. Nothing can stop it. Nothing is allowed to stand in its way.

And that’s what happens when God gives you a breakthrough and releases a flood of His power on your behalf. And God has not changed. His power has not diminished. “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” (Jeremiah 32:17 NKJV). God is able to move on your behalf. And He is willing – so ask Him for a breakthrough.

Soul food: Gal 5:22-23; Neh 8:10; Heb 12:1-2; Jam 1:2-3

Removing the “flesh” element

In Pharaoh’s palace, Moses threw down his rod and “it became a snake” (v. 3 NIV). He was so scared; he ran from it. Then God said, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail,” leaving the head, the most dangerous part, unrestrained.

One Bible teacher points this out: “During your training trip through the wilderness, you’ll probably think God is leading you the wrong way; that He’s saying something that doesn’t make sense. His commandments aren’t usually accompanied by explanation. And when you can’t figure out what He’s doing, you must trust Him. Once Moses picked up the snake by its tail, it became a rod once more, and it was never again referred to as ‘the rod of Moses,’ but ‘the rod of God’ (See Exodus 4:1-20; 17:9).

When Moses released it, the snake element was taken out of it, and it became God’s rod. The one thing Moses thought he could trust, his old, familiar, tried-and-true shepherd’s rod, had to be relinquished. And God may strip you of certain things to let you see your dependence on Him. But with that stripping comes power. There are things you want to hold on to that you have to release so God can remove the snake.”

So, what are you holding on to today? A desire to teach? Musical talent? An aptitude for business? Leadership abilities? Take your gift, whatever it is, and “throw it on the ground” (v. 3 NIV) before God. He is the only one who knows if there is a snake hiding inside it. He can remove the “flesh” element, bless it, and give it back to you as an instrument fit for service.

Soul food: Est 4:9-5:3; Heb 4:7-16

Keep trusting God

The story of Job reads like this: Chapter 1, he is one of the wealthiest men in his generation. Chapter 2, he loses everything, including his health, his wealth, and his children. Chapter 42, he is back on top again. Wouldn’t you like to know what happened from chapters 3 through 41? If so, you should read the book of Job and find out how he had it all, lost it all, got it all back, and ended up with twice as much as he lost.

Did Job have unanswered questions? Lots of them. Did he experience grief? Yes, to a depth that is hard to imagine. But Job never changed his mind about God, and God never changed His about Job. This Scripture best summarizes Job’s attitude: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

If you’re stuck at a place you don’t understand right now, don’t give up – on God or yourself. When you don’t understand your circumstances, and it feels like they’re more than you can bear, stand on this great Bible promise: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in… the Lord, is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV).

Trusting God does not mean He will answer all your questions, but that He will give you “perfect peace” regardless of the circumstances. Trusting God does not mean that you won’t struggle, but that He will give you “everlasting strength.” So, the word for you today is – keep trusting God, and He will bring you through this.

Soul food: Dan 8-10; Luke 22:54-62; Ps 103:13-22; Prov 10:14