A couple years ago, I had to rescue our dog Trooper from a brambly bush he’d gotten himself entangled in, leash and all. He’d yanked himself free from my hold to go chase a rabbit down a hill only animals, not humans, could get down. This meant a search and rescue operation for me, and when I found him, I was so glad and relieved. So was Trooper, who didn’t like where his chase had ensnared him. His barks in response to my calling sounded like, “Over here! Am I ever glad to see you! Please get me out!” We really love each other.

Psalm 18:19 tells us, “He (the Lord) rescued me because He delighted in me.” He didn’t and doesn’t just rescue us because he had/has to—he wants to! He “delights” in us. He feels that surge of wonderful, affectionate, loving, joy and gladness in our presence. He full-on enjoys us!

I know, that’s hard to believe. Even writing this I’m wondering if that sounds too way-out, over-the-top, presumptuous. We’re talking about the Almighty, Infinite, Creator, God, who has a universe to run. Why should or would He care that much about us, let alone feel that emotionally attached to us? Maybe, when we’re really good, don’t mess up, and don’t cause trouble, it seems a bit more possible. But what about when we sin? When we yank ourselves free to go pursue our own way, and end up needing to be rescued?

Because of His character, which is always and only love, we might believe, “Ok, since He’s so loving, He’ll come rescue me. He may not like it, or like me, but He’ll do it, in spite of how He feels about me.”

And yes, there’s definitely that element of grace—we don’t deserve to be rescued. Our holy God could easily say, “You made your bed, you lie in it”. But He chose to rescue us.

Rom. 5:8 tells us, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Very comforting, since those of us who’ve given our lives to Him can’t be any worse than that. We all can certainly appreciate that kind of love—where would we be without it?

But His love goes beyond the “I have to do this because of grace and my character”, agape, unconditional, love. For reasons known only to Him, that we can’t fully understand, His love for us includes “mushy” feelings!

Like the kind I, as a grandma, get whenever I see my grandkids and grown sons or even just hear their names! Anyone who’s been a parent or taken care of children they’ve grown to love knows the feeling—those kids could have been whining, screaming, getting into all kinds of mischief, and/or being generally annoying, but if anyone or anything threatens their wellbeing, nothing can hold us back from doing all we can to save them.

Out of duty and obligation? Out of necessity? Sure, it likely includes that. But our rescue operation isn’t the emotionally distant movements of a doctor who’s done this surgery a thousand times. Or a law enforcement officer scornfully regarding someone who “got themselves into this mess”. No, it’s the tender, intimate, concern of a surgeon operating on their own child, even if that child needs that operation because of something they did wrong.

It’s the Lord regarding us with a heart full and overflowing to the point of bursting with “mushy” love that can’t wait to spend time with us, even if He has to rescue us to do it! If we, as imperfect, selfish, people can keep delighting in kids and dogs who yank themselves free and sometimes annoy us, our perfectly loving Father can easily delight in us, His children.

Can you embrace His embrace?