“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.” (Ps 23:1 NIV)

Our God is the One in control of my life, and as long as I let Him be in the driver’s seat, “I shall not be in want.” I only experience “want” when I wander away from Him!

Christmas is just a few weeks away. With Jesus being born in Palestine, I thought the following true story that took place in that same location would be perfect for the occasion.

To protect the privacy of those involved, I will call the main character “Daughter of Eve”. Daughter of Eve was born in Israel. During an emotional family crisis, she became estranged from her family, and this led her to a relationship with a man of a different faith. At least she would be safe now! Or so she thought.

Soon her family discovered that she was missing, and they had no way to know if she was even still alive. It didn’t help that local authorities thought they had identified her in a morgue.

Meanwhile, Daughter of Eve was married and living with her husband, who insisted they continue to live in Palestine. But it wasn’t a happy marriage. In fact it was no marriage at all. She was the slave of her man, and if she didn’t act according to his wishes, there were dire consequences. She couldn’t even contact her family. Once he tied her to a tree for more than half a day, without food, water or shelter. She was lucky to have survived the incident in such a sweltering climate!

I don’t know exactly when she started praying, but at some point, she did begin to pray, and she begged God to give her the opportunity to go back to her homeland. One thing with God is this: When we ask for His help, He will deliver!

“He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” (Ps 91:15 NIV)

Miraculously, her family found her, 28 years after her disappearance. She was alive, but not well. Hope started to bloom. A special organization was contacted and they set up a rescue mission. A few weeks later, when her husband gave her money to bring their children to the clinic, D day arrived. Right after leaving the village, Daughter of Eve and her children got out of the taxi and into a rescue van. With the rescue having been arranged in advance with the local authorities, Daughter of Eve passed the checkpoint without any difficulty. As soon as she was back in her homeland, she burst into tears, and so did the accompanying soldiers.

Her children begged her never to go back again. They, too, had been in a living hell. The rescue mission was a total success.

Christmas is also all about a rescue mission. We, too, were living under heavy burdens. Ever since our rebellion against our Maker, we have a new taskmaster, who was far from being gentle with any of us (“The thief (the evil one) comes only to steal and kill and destroy . . .” John 10:10 NIV). We, too, long for our heavenly homeland. What have we done! Even our children suffer for the stupid decisions we make.

But 2000 years ago, Jesus miraculously came on our planet. He had a rescue mission to carry out, one that would re-establish our ties with our Dad in heaven. And though it cost Him his life, He succeeded in his mission. Three days later He was resurrected, guaranteeing us that we are free indeed.

God is a specialist in rescue missions. Look at when Israel was in bondage in Egypt. Look at the many lives that were once broken, in despair and without hope, redeemed because of the rescue specialist.

If you are living in what seems like a hopeless prison, remember there is hope. Call upon God and wait on His rescue.

Christmas is a time of celebration to remember the deliverance provided by our God.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NIV)

Are you hungering for your homeland?

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Devotions From the Psalms” devotional series, please click here.)
(To access the entire “Only in Jesus” devotional series, please click here.)