As we near Christmas time, we remember that Jesus is our DELIVERER.
The Greek word for deliverance is sōtr = Saviour or ”deliverer,” and sōtēría, meaning ”salvation” or ”deliverance”. The most common Hebrew words for deliverance are tšûâ and יְyšûâ which mean salvation or rescue. Psalm 50:15 confirms, ”Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour Me.” Some translations use ”RESCUE” instead of deliver.
Do you need to be delivered/rescued from something that holds you? Perhaps it is a thought, or an illness, or financial troubles, sorrows or loss? Abba Father loves it when we honour and glorify Him as we TRUST Him to deliver us from our difficulties.
Sometimes we are too overwhelmed to truly call out to Him. But Psalm 91:15 states – ”When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honour him.” To seek God’s honour means believing He exists and is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6).
The word Saviour means a deliverer, preserver, or Messiah. When Jesus was born into our sin-filled earth; He came as our Messiah, our Deliverer and the Preserver of life.
Scriptures referring to Jesus as a deliverer include Psalm 18:2, which states, ”The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer,” while the New Testament describes Jesus as the one who rescues us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10) and sets us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). He is a deliverer from sickness, as seen in Luke 4:38-41, and from the spiritual slavery of sin through his grace.
We love praying the Lord’s prayer in Psalm 23 – ”DELIVER us from evil…” Do we truly trust and believe that our Lord WILL deliver us from evil and hardships when we call out to Him?
PSALM 34:19 – ”The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” (Not some, but ”ALL.”
Psalm 107 talks about some very difficult situations where the Lord delivered those who called out to Him – ”Some wandered in desert wastelands finding no path to a city in which to dwell. They were hungry and thirsty; their souls fainted within them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. He led them on a straight path to reach a city where they could live.” (Verses 4-7)
”Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains…Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains.” (Verses 19,13 + 14) Verses 23 – 29 speak about some who were caught up in great storms, but when they cried out to God, He rescued them and brought peace and calm into their lives. The last verse of Psalm 107 states – ”Let him who is wise pay heed to these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD.”
Thank You, precious Abba Father, that You are devoted to those who call out to you in trust and hope. Thank You that You are more than willing to come to our aid and generously deliver us from our troubles, no matter what they are. Please help us to rest secure in Your love with deep gratitude and faith that You indeed look after us in every situation. Thank You blessed Lord Jesus, that You came to this earth to be born in a humble stable, to live here on earth and heal very many of various afflictions in body, soul and spirit, until You were cruelly crucified. But You rose again and became our Deliverer, so that we too, can have Eternal Life. Amen
Myrtle Turunen