An interesting Hebrew meaning for the word “salvation” here is to be rescued either personally, spiritually, or nationally…and right now, the nations of the world could sure use some deliverance from all the distress, calamity, and frightening events surrounding this Corona virus. It’s time to stand in the gap for the nations and seek deliverance from the Lord. And how better to pray than to pray Scriptures back to God. Father, we lift all the nations of the world to You and ask for deliverance from this evil called COVID 19, (Psalm 3:8) For we know all those who take refuge in You are blessed (Psalm 2:12) and that You will never forsake anyone who seeks You. (Psalm 9:10) We thank You for sending help (Psalm 20:2) as Your Spirit encamps around us (Psalm 34:7)… so we humbly beseech You to save our nations from this enemy. (Psalm 18:48) In the precious Name of Jesus… Amen
Tag Archive | deliverance
Psalm 68:20 ” Our God is a God Who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.”
In looking up the Hebrew words in this short verse, I found some interesting things. First, the Hebrew word for “saves” here occurs only once in the Old Testament…its meaning – deliverance. Next, the Hebrew word for “Lord” is the covenant name of God. Finally, the Hebrew word for “death” here means deadly sickness or plague. We need to be reminded today that our God is a covenant-keeping God who delivers us out of all our calamities and distresses. (I Samuel 10:19) And as the Psalmist wrote, “You have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before You in the light of life.” (Psalm 56:13) And as both Jeremiah and Ezekiel proclaimed… it’s only from the Lord that comes escape.
Psalm 119:161 ” Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at Your Word.”
Jesus reminds us in the Gospels that just as He was persecuted, Christians all around the world will be unjustly accused. And as evil domination snowballs…so will injustice towards those of the Christian faith. For it’s not a matter anymore of if, but of when…for the world is becoming increasingly more brazen and emboldened in its attack of what once was considered sacred and off limits. But just as David declared to King Saul… the Lord is our only judge and it will be Him that will vindicate and deliver us. ( I Samuel 24:14-15)
I Chronicles 16:23 ” Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day.”
If you had never heard the Good News of Jesus…where would you be today? It’s a very sobering thought, and for many of us, we’d probably be dead. Now whether it was spiritual or physical death, we’d all be doomed to spend eternity in hell. But instead, someone brought us the Good News…proclaiming deliverance and victory over the guilt and punishment of sin. And so we stand here today, forgiven and set free. So why wouldn’t we want to proclaim His salvation to others?
I Chronicles 16:23 ” Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day.”
When was the last time you actually thanked God for saving you? When was the last time you expressed profound gratitude and appreciation for delivering your soul from the guilt and punishment of sin? If it’s been a while, then take the time right now to stop and thank Him. But as important… when was the last time you told someone else about Jesus? Isaiah 52:7 exclaims, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!” Telling someone the Good News of Jesus isn’t hard if you can imagine it this way…you’re simply a beggar telling another beggar where they can get bread.
Nehemiah 9: 27-28 ” But when they were oppressed they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies. But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in Your sight.”
We humans have such short memories. When life is going well…we put God in the corner – kind of like disaster insurance…there just in case we need it. And when we get ourselves in trouble, we call out to Him for help…only to quickly forget again when life quiets down. This roller coaster ride isn’t what God desires for us. He wants to be our focus in good times and bad…in happiness and sadness…in calm and chaos.
Acts 4:12 ” Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
There’s no other name, but Jesus. There’s no other way, but through Him. There’s no other person, thing or place that can give you eternal deliverance from God’s wrath and hell. I Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all men -” Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the price for your sins… in order that you may have eternal life. Yes, there’s no other name, but Jesus.
Isaiah 25:9 ” Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”
Where and in whom does your hope lie today? Do you trust only yourself and your sheer determination to make your dreams reality? Or maybe you trust the world around you to give you everything you desire. Unfortunately, there is no one or thing here on earth that has the ability to deliver you from damnation… for there is only one person that can give you victory over guilt and eternal punishment of your sins. Jesus is that only person that can save your soul.
II Corinthians 6:2 ” For He says, ‘In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
Isaiah echoes this verse in Chapter 49, verses 8 and 9, “This is what the Lord says: ‘In the time of My favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ ” Today the Lord is extending His favor towards you…offering His grace and kindness in order to deliver your soul from the guilt and punishment of sin. He’s uncovering and revealing to you the sin in your life…He’s shedding light upon your spiritual blindness and beckoning you to come out of the darkness and be free.
Hebrews 9:27-28 ” Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”
We are dust and to dust we will return. (Genesis 3:19) Each one of us will stand before the judgment seat of Christ someday. But Jesus paid the price for our sins…once for all, and became the source of eternal salvation…and in Him and Him alone we will find redemption.
