Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. Colossians 1:12-13
Heavenly Father, we give you praise this morning for the amazing rescue of the Chilean miners. Against all odds, sparing no expense, this great act of deliverance has resulted in unparalleled joy and celebration. Who imagined this story would have, or could have ended with 100% success? Grateful “Hallelujahs!”, are most definitely the order of the day.
But as great as that costly and successful deliverance was, it pales in comparison… it’s a mere metaphor of what you’ve done for us in Jesus. I join my brothers and sisters this morning in offering even louder and exponentially multiplied “Hallelujahs!” for the gospel rescue mission.
We give you thanks, Father, for rescuing us from the deep and damning dominion of darkness. We weren’t just buried in the depths of the earth, we were dead in our sins and trespasses. But because of your great love for us, and because you are so rich in mercy, you made us alive in Christ (Eph.2:4)… you, literally, raised us up in Him.
And we’re not just free from the dark pit, we’re into your gracious heart… for you’ve brought us into the kingdom of your beloved Son. You now love each of your children—each of us, just as much as you love your only begotten Son, Jesus. His kingdom of peace is the only unshakeable kingdom. His kingdom of grace is the only eternal kingdom. Astounding… astonishing… and true!
When you raised us up, angels sang and members of our eternal family greeted us just outside our tombs… like the crowds who greeted each rescued miner. But what a much grander celebration awaits us when the whole family is raised and changed at the second coming of Jesus! O, the party we’ll eternally enjoy when we finally gather with all our brothers and sisters in Christ… from every nation, tribe, people and language.
And gather we shall, for you’ve qualified us “to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” I don’t know what awaits each rescued miner, now that they’ve come up from the depths of the earth… probably some celebrity status and financial rewards. But I do know this… every one of your children—each of us is going to inherit the new heaven and new earth. Everything that belongs to Jesus belongs to us… his righteousness, his record, his riches. This is all of your doing, Father. It’s because of you that we are in Christ. You spared no expense to deliver us. A zillion “Hallelujahs” is not enough.
May we live the rest of our days as joyfully committed servants of your ongoing story of rescue, redemption and restoration. 100% success is guaranteed to this story and this story alone. So very Amen, we pray, in Jesus triumphant name.