After a 71 year old South Korean woman was rescued when a ferry sank, she struggled with survivor’s guilt. From her hospital bed she said she couldn’t understand how it could be right for her to have lived through an accident that had taken the lives of many who were so much younger. She also regretted not knowing the name of the young man who had pulled her out of the water after she had given up hope. She said she wished she could do something for him in return.

This woman’s attitude and concern for others reminds me of Paul, one of main writers of the New Testament. He was so concerned that his neighbours and countrymen hadn’t yet trusted God to save them, that he said he wished he could trade his own relationship with Christ for their rescue: “I have great [sadness] and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were [removed] from Christ for my [nation]” (Rom. 9:2-3).

But Paul was also deeply thankful that God had rescued him. He knew he didn’t understand God’s ways (see vv.14-24). So while doing everything he could to tell others about the salvation Jesus offers, he found peace in trusting God, who loves the world much more than we ever could.

Author

Mart DeHaan

Topics

Our Daily Bread