I am about to be consumed. I stand trembling at the brink of this vast chasm from which nothing can return from its dismal void. My foot is poised over its greedy diabolic maw from which comes a hideous, noxious stench. It forces the breath from me, choking and searing. My eyes grow sodden, my head spins. My senses are dulled, my resolve to stand against the horror that rises from the infernal pit crumbles to dust. It touches me, laughs at me, torments me with its grisly intentions. I teeter on the brim of insanity, ready to plunge into its inviting strangle in an instant. I am about ready to give into the constant banter, the evil cries to step over and give up. For one final moment I turn, looking back for someone to come and help, to pull me back and comfort my thoughts, to drive out the searing vapors. No one comes to me, so I turn back to face the dreadful reality. No one really cares. A tear forms in my eye as my weight shifts forward, moving towards the point of no return. I hear laughter and shouting, barely perceptible over the raging inferno below. Ruined! Finished! Failure! My eyes lower in shame, catching a glimpse of the impenetrable darkness below me. It is all true. My eyes turn again to see the well dressed, sterile people standing, watching.
The poisonous reek belches up at me, strangling my cry in my throat. The ravaging claws reach up to drag me down, clamping around my feet with hellish intent. A sigh escapes my lips. My body tenses. There is little hope. No one will help. I hear their whispers, their spiteful whispers. “Where did he go wrong?” “Why is he doing this?” “He must have done something wrong.” “I would never do that.” They do not know. They do not understand. They do not help. They stand so pious, so filled with their self - righteousness. The stench almost overpowers the rancid vomit from below. I am undone. I am ruined. No one will help. No one will care. I turn again to face my fate. The tears are flowing freely now. I cannot hold them back.
I look out in front of me and see a faint glimmer. It surprises me. It perplexes me. Suddenly, I hear a shout behind me. I turn my head to see one running toward me – no there are two, a man and woman. They are shouting and waving wildly, pointing to something out ahead of me. The others shout as well, trying to drown out the urgent cries of the two. They try to tell them that it is too late, that there is no hope. The two break through the line and race for me, shouting and pointing all the time. They are close now. I can almost hear their voices over the rumble of the abyss. I turn my head back to my fate. There it is again, the glimmer. It is brighter now, its brilliance growing with each blink. I am falling now, plunging into the gaping maw of despair and madness. I am unable to stop it, to pull back to the reaching arms of the two. I look at the others who shake their heads sadly, telling me that there is no hope. One shakes his head sadly, holding the great black Book under his arm. He speaks, but I cannot hear. I can only hear the two speaking to me. I look again at the thin gossamer thread. They tell me to reach for it, to catch it.
For a moment, my heart is light, and I am ready to catch it. Then I am overpowered by the virulent fetor from the Hadean bowels. I cry out! The scream escapes my lips. There is no form or words. It is the anguish of my heart, the deep ache of my soul. I am exhausted, spent from the struggle to remain. In a moment, it will be done. Then the earth begins to shake and the winds begin to howl. Thunder explodes over the noise of the pit, and brilliant lightning destroys the darkness. Then I see it. The terrible sight of the enraged God. He comes for me. Splitting heaven wide as He rushes down for me on the cherub. Fire pours from His nostrils. Lightning dances all around Him. The wind cannot abide Him and gives way. He catches me, pulling me into His loving arms. He smiles at me and speaks softly to me. My eyes close in rest, the vapors that threatened me are no more. I am rescued.
Every day, countless men and women fall into the clutches of despair – including our Christian brothers and sisters. Some take their own lives while others wallow around in the suffocating bog. All that is needed is a tender touch, a warm embrace, and a gentle word of hope. It is our duty to aid in the rescue of those that struggle in the depths of despair. It is our joy to point them to the only One who can pull them free from the abyss of despondency. It is sad that we turn on those who need hope. We disdainfully dismiss those who are different – those who do not dress, act, or smell like us. We become wrapped in our self - righteousness, afraid to get to close, to get to involved.
We are needed. We are needed by the lost who are dying and plunging into a Christ - less eternity. We are needed by our brothers and sisters who struggle daily with the “raw deals” of life. Some struggle with finances, health, relationships, and sin. We are the life line, the voice to remind them of the speed of God’s rescue. Will you be used of God today to touch someone’s life? Perhaps its just a little smile, a friendly hug, or just a thoughtful word. Ask God today how you can be used to be a lifeline for someone who is hurting, who is struggling with the things life hurls at them. It is not only our responsibility; it is also our great joy. Touch someone for God today. You never know when you might need a touch or a word.
Psalm 18:4-7, 10, 16-17, 19
The cords of death encompassed me, and the torrents of ungodliness terrified me.
The cords of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears.
Then the earth shook and quaked; and the foundations of the mountains were trembling and were shaken because He was angry.
He rode upon a cherub and flew; and He sped upon the wings of the wind.
He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.
He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.
