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November 4, 2016
March 21, 2024

The Rescue for Her Soul

When I first heard “Rescue for my Soul,” I knew Alex and Jesse had created something special. I hadn’t heard a worship song I loved so much since David Crowder’s version of “How He Loves” in 2009. These are the kinds of songs I play hundreds of times. They are anthems for me as a believer. They are reminders of the truth. They are anchors for my soul.

And boy, did I need an anchor at the time. My personal and professional life were spinning out of control. Sin was taking root in my heart. Loved ones were leaving the faith. Dear friends were confessing big sin in their past. I watched as women around me kept having babies when I couldn’t. My job was unclear and unsatisfying.

As the line from “Rescue for my Soul” says, I was alone out in the darkness.

Alone. Sometimes you and I choose aloneness. We choose to hide our sin behind a put-together exterior. We choose to isolate ourselves in the comfort of our routine. We choose to ignore the community God graciously offers His church. But other times, God leads us to that place of aloneness, and we have no choice but to follow. We are in a cave like David, fearing for our life. We are in an ocean like Jonah, about to drown. We are in a garden like Jesus, on our knees. Sometimes people fail us. Sometimes the church is not all we hoped it would be. Sometimes we sense our enemy right on our heels, and we are terrified.

This was one of those times for me. God put me alone out in the darkness, but this was not for my destruction. He put me there so His light would draw me in. He put me there so I would have no choice but to say

I raise my hands to You for mercy
I need Your love that won’t let go
Oh God You’re reaching down
In You I’ve found
A rescue for my soul

I played this chorus over and over on my iPhone. Sometimes I didn’t even bother with the verses. On many occasions, I let the tears stream down my face as I pictured myself lifting my hands to God, begging for rescue, and wondering if it would ever come.

This is the power of music. This is the power of worship music. It brought me to that point of prayer. It brought me to that point of confession. It brought me to that point of surrender. The lyrics reminded me of the truth: I do have a Rescuer. And He knows what He’s up to. He brought David out of the cave. He sent the fish to save Jonah. He put Jesus on the cross, and then raised Him from the dead! My Rescuer won’t let go. He is reaching down to me. He sees me. He knows me. There is nothing that can separate me from His love.

Considering this was my experience with this song, it should’ve come as no surprise when one grade schooler told me her favorite song on the album was “Rescue for My Soul.” Yet it did surprise me. In fact, it shocked me. Every other song on the album was more upbeat. Every other song on the album was more kid friendly. Some of us even wondered if the phrase “rescue for my soul” was too conceptual for kids, if kids would even get it.

I forget that the Holy Spirit knows no age. He could speak to this precious child through the lyrics of “Rescue for my Soul” just as clearly as He could speak to me, or perhaps even more (Matthew 18:3).

But obviously, this girl got it.

Even I, as someone who dedicates her life to children’s ministry, still forget. I forget that truth can resonate with any heart, no matter how young. I forget that children feel deeply, and they often feel alone. I forget that the Holy Spirit knows no age. He could speak to this precious child through the lyrics of “Rescue for my Soul” just as clearly as He could speak to me, or perhaps even more (Matthew 18:3).

This girl never shared with me why the song was her favorite, but she didn’t have to. I understood. It is a beautiful song with a message of hope. And sometimes even young children need to hear that message.

Article Details

Author
Author
Anna Sargeant
Related Congregation
Related Ministry
Kids
Related Initiative
Austin Stone Creative
Tags
kids worship
only jesus
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