Jesus, the God Who Loves & Rescues You! 5 Day Reading PlanShembull

DAY 5

JESUS loves you. Call on him and he will rescue you, even now.

Pray

Dear Jesus, you are my hiding place, my place of safety, my refuge and my hope. I praise you for your faithfulness. You rescued me when I was drifting, and remind me constantly that I can always depend on your love. Whenever I need you, you are only a prayer away. I am forever grateful, Lord. Amen.

Read

Luke 23:32; 39-43

Two other men, both of them criminals, were also led out to be put to death with Jesus.

One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: “Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, “Don't you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.” And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!”

Jesus said to him, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.”

Psalm 91:15

When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them.

Romans 8:38, 39

For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflect

Jesus. Never underestimate the power of the name of Jesus. The Scriptures say that God gave Jesus a name above all names (Philippians 2:9), and we have the authority to use his name. One would have thought it was all over for that thief, but the dying man not only calls upon the name of Jesus, but he also acknowledges Jesus as king. “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!” Would Jesus use his final, precious moments to respond to a dying thief? Yes, he would! Jesus, the God who loves and rescues us, always responds to the heart cry of those who need to be rescued.

Respond

Jesus wants us close to him—like a vine with many branches. He knows we are helpless without him, so he calls us into a relationship in which he rescues us when we are in danger of moving away from his presence and protection. He invites us to call out to him at any time, in any place. The name of Jesus will soothe us, comfort and strengthen us, deliver us, and give us the assurance that we are loved always and forever. Close your eyes and practice speaking the name of Jesus quietly several times. Then, begin to praise him for his goodness and mercy toward you. Jesus wants to bless you with more than you can ask, think, or imagine. He loves you deeply and nothing and no one can change that. The apostle Paul declares, “Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35). Without a doubt, there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of Jesus, our Lord.