Deliverance is at Hand

Today’s thoughts are from Upper Room Disciplines; an annual devotional compiled from the Upper Room devotional booklet that is written by readers like you.  This one is from 2007.

Psalm 91:14-16  New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation. ”

According to the psalmist, the God of love promises deliverance in return for our response of love.  Consider these six actions that God promises:

1.  “I will deliver.”  God was and will always be a God of deliverance.  God delivered Israel from the pain of slavery into a new land flowing with milk and honey – a land of new experiences, new beginnings.  God will continue this action into generations of those who love God.

2.  “I will protect.”  Protection is the response toward those “who know my name.”  We know who God really is and acknowledge God in acts of hallowing the Holy One’s name.

3.  “I will answer them.”  God answers when we call upon the name of the Lord; the Lord will act for us.

4.  “I will be with them.”  Presence, always an important aspect, confirms God’s involvement in our lives; we will experience God in our actions each moment but more so in times of need.  God’s presence gives confidence and strength.

5.  “I will rescue them.”  God will save us.  “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil”  (see Ps 23:4)

6.  “I will satisfy them. ”  The people of God will receive personal fulfillment – not simply a spiritual experience with no relation to every day life.  They will have a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, of looking back and saying Yes!