The other day, I heard on the news that they had begun bringing the Chilean miners to the surface after a very long time and amazing rescue efforts. That night before bed, I was checking a couple of things on the computer and I when I opened the web browser, there was just a huge thing about the rescue, including a link to watch live video. “Well, if they're in the process of pulling the guys up at this very second,” I thought, “why not check out the video?” When I started viewing the video, they had just begun pulling up another miner. They brought his wife and some other people to the area and everybody was so excited. But above their excitement, you could still see a look of unsurety and wondering. The camera kept switching between the people and showing the pulleys turning and the cable coming up out of the hole. It took a very long time. I was going to close the video, but decided that since it was live, I might as well see one guy come up. After awhile, the capsule was close enough to be in earshot, so the men began shouting down the hole to the miner. The miner shouted back up at them and everybody cheered. They exchanged jokes and cheers with the miner as he rode up that last distance. Finally, the capsule emerged from the hole. They unlatched everything and the miner stepped out. Everybody was so happy. His wife was completely overjoyed and so were all of the rescuers and the officials and politicians that were standing around. Everybody hugged him and cheered and it was overall a big picture of pure glee.
There is no doubt that the miners that were down in the mine knew that they needed deliverance. They definitely knew that they needed to be rescued. When they were delivered, they were very grateful and rejoiced. Other people that cared about them also rejoiced. Many people (possibly that didn't even know them personally) rejoiced.
Luke 15:4-10
(4) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (5) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (6) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (7) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (8) Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? (9) And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. (10) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
The Bible says that everybody has sinned, yet not everybody seems to know that they need to be rescued. I heard that while those miners were down there, after they got an initial hole drilled, they were able to send them some games and things to keep them occupied during the many weeks that they had to wait. Can you imagine some of them having so much fun with the games and being so content with how they were getting by, that they forgot that they needed to be rescued? And can you imagine them not being grateful for the rescue? But it's true. Some people don't see that they need to be delivered from sin. Some people also tend to have an attitude that they deserve deliverance and when it comes, instead of being grateful, they'd rather complain about how long it took. I don't know if that happened with any of the miners. I'm just talking generically about people in general. And it also happens when it comes to people and their relationship with God. Imagine how great deliverance from sin must be that the angels rejoice over one sinner repenting. Let us rejoice when we find God's deliverance! If you need deliverance, whether from initial sin or just some difficult thing or dark moment, keep waiting on God. Don't be discouraged if it takes awhile. Keep waiting. Keep praying. Keep rejoicing in even the small blessings along the way. And when you experience a miracle...when God sends deliverance...rejoice! Praise God for His wonderful work!
Luke 17:11-19
(11) And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. (12) And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: (13) And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. (14) And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. (15) And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, (16) And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. (17) And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? (18) There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. (19) And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
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