Deliverance is from the Lord alone!
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Deuteronomy 9 records the history of the Israelites, as they are about to cross the Jordan River. Moses reminds them (several times) that this is the Lord’s doing. He is going ahead of them and it is only because of Him that they will take possession of the land.
“Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess,for you are a stiff-necked people.” (vs6)
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Isaiah 37 – In the previous chapter, Sennacherib had sent a threatening letter to King Hezekiah that he would destroy Jerusalem. In chapter 37, Hezekiah takes the letter to God in prayer. The Lord who “is robed in majesty and is armed with strength” whose “throne was established long ago” who “is from all eternity” (Psalm 93:1 & 2) has other plans. We read of God’s plans, as told through the prophet Isaiah, for Sennacherib and the deliverance He has in store for Jerusalem.
“‘But I know where you stay and when you come and go and how you rage against Me. Because you rage against Me and because your insolence has reached My ears, I will put My hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came. This will be the sign for you, O Hezekiah: This year you will eat what grows by itself, and the second year what springs from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit above. For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (vs.28 – 32)
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In Revelation 7, John’s vision of the Great Multitude is recorded. Our final deliverance foretold.
“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ (vs.9 & 10)
“These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (vs. 14 – 17)
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Hallelujah Father! As I’m typing out these last verses, I am overcome with tears, as I think about the joy and comfort that only You can give because of the sacrifice of Your life and the promise of eternal life with You. Thank you Lord for deliverance!
“It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night.”
Psalm 92:1 & 2
– Beckie (look2the hills)
(All scripture taken from NIV)
Sixty-six books in a year 