Reach down from heaven and rescue me; rescue me from deep waters, from the power of my enemies. [Psalm 144:7 (NLT)

The recent flooding in Colorado, reminded me of this story about a man caught in another flood. He stood on the porch as the sheriff went by in his jeep. The officer offered to evacuate the man but was told, “No, thank you, God will save me!” The flood waters rose and the man moved to an upstairs bedroom. A boat sailed by with neighbors in it. They called out to the man and offered him the last seat in their boat. “No, thank you,” was his reply. “God will protect me.” The waters continued to rise and the man had to climb out on his roof. The National Guard flew by in a helicopter and the soldiers called out to the man. They would lower a rope so he could climb aboard. Again, he refused, saying, “God will reach down from heaven and rescue me!” Unfortunately, the flood waters continued to rise and the man eventually drowned. At the pearly gates, he asked God why he’d not been rescued. “I sent you a jeep, a boat and a helicopter,” was His reply. “What were you waiting for?”

Heavenly Father, may we always recognize your hand when it reaches out to us. May we never forget that we, too, must do our part if we hope to be rescued from life’s difficulties.

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. [Psalm 91:14-15 (NLT)]