snatched from the fire

“Don’t look down!”, the actor says with quiet assurance. Well, within my limited experience, that is what someone says to a person precariously positioned on the edge of a precipice. 

Once, as a young man, when I was climbing a cliff with a couple of friends, my footing gave way, and I started uncontrollably sliding towards a precipice that had a vertical drop of at least 100 feet. At first, I wasn’t at all concerned. I was young and stupid. Oh, and I was always sufficiently agile to avoid any significant damage to my body.

A Boot Came Into View

However, as I failed time and again to secure a handhold, I became concerned. I slowed my tumble significantly, but still, I continued to fall. All of a sudden, a boot came into view. One of my friends had followed after me. He had secured a firm handhold and now dangled his leg down for me to grab. It worked. And yes, he exclaimed, “Don’t look down!”

Indeed, my friend snatched me from almost certain death. Likewise, as Christians, we are reminded to snatch the lost: “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jude 1:22-23 NIV)

How quickly our opportunities evaporate if we aren’t attentive to the Holy Spirit in our lives. If my friend hadn’t acted immediately, I probably wouldn’t be writing this devotional. Likewise, we must hear, assess, and respond in a heartbeat. How wonderful Jesus is to trust us in His work.

Photo by Andrew Ly on Unsplash

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