The Preventer vs the Deliverer
This fireman's outfit gets lots of use from boys and girls around Shiloh.
Instead of trusting in our own strength...God rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation- 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 The Message
In John Eldredge's devotional Restoration Year he references the difference between God as a Deliverer and God as a Preventer. We would prefer to have a Preventer who keeps bad things from ever happening, rather than a Deliverer who we can call out to for rescue in times of trouble.
But God comes close and does a mighty work in our lives in times of trouble. Think about the closeness we develop with someone who has walked beside us in a difficult time. We appreciate the pit person much more than the party person. The people who are willing to get in the pit with us or toss us a rope to pull us out and then hold us as we slowly walk forward are precious!!!!! Likewise, we grow closer to God when we call upon his name to deliver us. So, He allows the pitfalls of life for a purpose that brings him glory and draws us closer to Him.
My husband and I were dwelling upon this and he added. "As a Preventer, we never see HIM. We'd just think that is normal life." As the Deliverer we call to God, we look for God and we praise his name and adore him for all he has done. Whew! It's so beautiful. And we will know Him, so much more intimately throughout eternity for the closeness we have developed over the years.
Count it all joy, my brothers, WHEN you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness hae its full effect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
Again and again in the Psalms we hear David tells us God is our shield in times of trouble and I know there are times he prevents and protects us from dangers we never even saw. The Devil darts are always being tossed and I think we'd be amazed if we knew how many times God's shield was lifted high and protected us from falling.
The Song
"Rescue" Lauren Daigle
