Where is the God of our Salvation?

By Mike Rule

It has been some time since I have talked about the daily struggles that I must endure in following God’s call.  The most recent sharing on this subject is found in the articles entitled The Battle and Revelation of Flesh.  Once again the Lord has asked me to open up about where He has us. 

The past few months have been the hardest months we have ever faced financially.  We have absolutely no resources left at our disposal.  Recent contributions to LCMI have been at their lowest levels so far this year, LCMI is struggling to pay the bills, and we have been late with our office rent for the last 3 months.  We have cancelled all overseas ministry trips for 2006, and domestic travel is virtually nonexistent because there is just NO money.  We wonder how we will take the few trips He has asked us to take this year even in the U.S.  This has a direct impact on our family as I am currently more than 8 weeks behind in my salary, and Becky has not drawn her salary at all this year.  Where is the God of our salvation?

As a result of no personal income, few of our personal bills are getting paid.  We are thousands of dollars behind on meeting our obligations and bill collectors are calling.  Our credit rating (which has always been nearly perfect) is completely trashed.  Our vehicles’ gas tanks are always on empty, and we don’t know how we are going to put enough gas in the cars to get through each week.  Becky and Rachael both had recent semi-emergency hospital visits, and we have had no health insurance for 5 years so now the medical bills are piling up.  And then there are the silly little things like blowing a tire on our lawn tractor this past week and not having the money to fix it.  The lawn needs to be mowed again, but even if the tractor was fixed, there is no money for gas for the mower anyway.  Daily, each meal is a challenge because we are lacking the “staples” we need for balanced and complete meals. Where is the God of our salvation?

Last week someone brought us several packages of meat to help us out.   This week someone gave us a gift card with enough money on it for one week’s worth of groceries.  Someone else gave us a box of canned goods.  The past two months, one family has come alongside us to pay our electric bill so that our electricity won’t be turned off.  God is providing in small ways, but the big picture keeps getting worse and worse and we cannot meet our obligations.  Where is the God of our salvation?

The hardest thing is seeing what is wrung out of each of us as the pressure continues to increase.  Despair, hopelessness, and unbelief come pouring out at times.  Becky and the children have suffered much as we follow God’s call. Where is the God of our salvation? 

I look around at all the wealth and prosperity, and wonder if many in the western world really know what it is like to go without.  I wonder if anyone knows what it is like to suffer and sacrifice.  Many people tell me that they are praying for us and it reminds me of what I wrote last year in Be Warm and Filled. Where is the God of our salvation?

The impact that LCMI is having for the kingdom of God around the world is tremendous.  Just the counseling ministry alone is impacting thousands of lives.  Nearly every day Becky and I see lives are being saved, marriages are being saved, lives are being turned around.  Yet people (ourselves included) still question whether LCMI is God’s calling for us.  They question if we are getting it wrong.  Some say that we are not in the will of God.  One question we have been asked innumerable times is, “Do you think God is trying to tell you something through your financial situation?”  I have a hard time not retorting, “Maybe God is trying to tell YOU something through our financial situation!”  Yet inside my heart breaks and I cry out, Where is the God of our salvation?

I know that a large part of what God has had for us these past years is to work in us and form the image of Christ in us, and He is successfully completing that work.  Yet in the bigger picture we are seeing that our personal situation is about something a lot bigger than us.  It is about something that God is doing in the Body of Christ. As Christians, we all want to follow Jesus so long as it doesn’t cost us too much.  We want to grow our business a little more, buy that new car, boat, or RV.  We want that nicer home, that next vacation, and surely Jesus would not ask us to sacrifice our personal comfort for the sake of following Him.  I see this mindset in myself, and as a result I recognize how rampant it is amongst believers. I wonder and cry out to Jesus for the sake of the Body of Christ, Where is the God of our salvation?

The majority of people that we work with through LCMI are people who are hurting and lost.  They are so wrapped up in their own pain that they cannot see beyond themselves.  Slowly, turn by turn, God has us unwrapping the captives, meeting them where they are and setting them free.  Our support team gives sacrificially to enable us to do this ministry, and they understand that they are paying for something that is most often intangible.  Our supporters give sacrificially because they are called to do so, and we pray that they are blessed bountifully.  We thank God for them, knowing that any rewards received are ALL theirs for the work that LCMI accomplishes. But for as much as they give, it is still not meeting the need.  And we wonder, Where is the God of our salvation?

So, where is the God of our Salvation?  He is working in His bride.  He is working in His children – you and I.  He has begun a good work, and He is faithful to complete it.  May His mind and heart be revealed in us.  And many we not only be open to what He may have to say, but may we also be RESPONSIVE to what He wants to do THROUGH us, no matter what it may cost us personally.

The answer for our situation is God-sized, and when His answer is revealed, the excellency of the power will all be of GOD and not us.  The circumstances of LCMI and the Rule family are ALL for the glory of God.  It will not be man’s wisdom or power; it will be OF His Glory, FOR His Glory, BY His Glory and THROUGH His Glory.  That is where the God of my salvation is. How about yours????

Verses for Reflection

The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.  (Psalms 18:46 KJVR)

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence.  (2 Samuel 22:3 KJVR)

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.  (Psalms 25:5 KJVR)

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.  (Micah 7:7 KJVR)

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  (Habakkuk 3:18 KJVR)