Comforted by the Miracle of God’s Salvation
Have you ever felt that your life was in danger . . . all alone . . . helpless . . . hopeless . . . like the walls were closing in on you . . . like there was no way out . . . all was lost . . . there was little or no hope?
If so, you have felt like others have felt . . . sat where others have sat . . . walked in another’s shoes . . . been in the same boat with others throughout ages past and, if the Lord tarries, for the rest of your life!
Such was the case when David composed the 23rd Psalm and spoke of the valley of the shadow . . . when Isaiah surveyed the darkness of the situation in his day . . . when Jesus began his ministry by quoting Isaiah, as recorded by Matthew:
“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”
In the Bible the word “darkness” is used to describe all of the different kinds of negative situations in which people find themselves from time to time.
On the other hand, the word “light” is used to show the difference God’s intervention makes in our lives if we are willing to see it from a new perspective and respond to it in a positive manner.
So, when we find ourselves “in the dark” what we need, for comfort’s sake, is “light”. Thus, fears associated with darkness are dissipated by the light of God’s presence, which occurred in dramatic fashion with the incarnation - when God in the person of Jesus Christ became flesh via Mary’s virgin birth and dwelt among us – “and we beheld His glory, the glory of the one and only Son of God.”
Wonder no more about whether or not God the Father of Jesus is also God the Father of all who believe in and receive Christ as their one and only Lord and Savior! In the beginning God said, “Let there be light.” When the time came, God the Son said, “I am the light of the world.”
Had the poet Wm. Hensley “seen the light” that shone over Bethlehem’s manger . . . accepted as truth the angels’ announcement, “for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord” . . . taken to heart the pronouncement of our Lord, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”, his famous poem “Invictus” might have begun on a different, more positive note than the way it did:
“Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul.” Hensley believed that he was the master of his own fate and thereby responsible for overcoming fear on his own rather than trust the one and only God whom we Christians know to be the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and, therefore, our Father who art in heaven!
Martin Luther made a very interesting observation which he included in his journal which he entitled “Table Talk”: “God and the devil take opposite tactics in regard to fear. The Lord first allows us to become afraid, that he might relieve our fears, and comfort us. The devil, on the other hand, first makes us feel secure in our pride and sins, that we might later be overwhelmed with fear and despair.”
Now, I suspect that you, like I, have learned from personal experience: Martin Luther knew what he was talking about – as did David – Psalm 27:1-6 . . .
Somehow if we can grasp the concept that God IS Light . . . in Him is no darkness at all . . . His Son became the epitome of “the Light” (the manifestation of it), and that if we “come to the Light” in repentance of sin and in acceptance of it as “the Way” to a right relationship with God, this very act of “conversion” if genuine removes fear of eternal separation from God! The Light of God’s Love dissipates darkness.
Spiritually, it’s as if we had been imprisoned in a pitch black room with no glimmer of hope when, all of a sudden, a rescuer broke down the barrier, allowing a ray of light to pierce the darkness, reigniting hope; then when the “fullness” of the light enveloped us, we knew that we had indeed been set free to fear no more! But you know, God’s salvation does not just deal with the negatives in life by removing our fears.
The positive aspect of it is that God’s salvation bestows on us confidence the likes of which we have never known. Even though David faced evildoers, enemies, and even an entire army, he was not afraid. Said he: “Still I am confident.”
Confident in what? His reputation as a warrior? His skills and ability to out maneuver threatening situations? His reliance on the support of his helpers? No! He was confident that the Lord was on his side!
It was good that David had at his disposal the wherewithal to fight the good fight – as did the Apostle Paul - but, in the final analysis, what mattered most was a power far greater than the sum total of all the rest!
Folks, it doesn’t matter what our situations might have been in the past, nor that in the present we face enemies of our well-being, including the worst “enemy” which we call death – although there are those whose severe pain and suffering cause them to anticipate it as a friend - with God on our side, how can we lose?
David could have given up . . . run away and become reclusive . . . thrown in the towel and quit. However, because he knew nothing could match God’s power, David trusted the Lord; and the outcome of his confidence in the Lord was: “The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.”
Honestly ask yourself what it is that feels like an army coming against you. Whatever it is, your salvation gives you the confidence you need to face it with the assurance that nothing we face can overcome the victory God brings to our lives!
In addition to removing fear . . . instilling confidence, God’s salvation gives us - not just a sense of security, certainly not false security- but, absolute security.
Sure, we need adequate retirement income to provide for our basic needs. Sure, it’s good to be part of a Fellowship of Believers within which we feel at home . . . we feel at ease . . . we at least have opportunities for enjoying certain amenities of life. Sure, we might legitimately ask, “What would we do without Social Security”?
All of that, and so much more we did not mention, is well and good; the ultimate question remains, “What would we do without Spiritual Security?”
Folks, David’s “one thing” should be our one thing! David recognized, and so must we, that in God alone could he find lasting security.
Never mind that, during David’s day, Jerusalem had no temple (the Ark of the Covenant was kept in a tent). The term “house” clearly does not imply a permanent structure, but was used by David to speak of a “place”, or a “residence”, or a “state of being”, with God, thereby stressing his desire for a lasting relationship or permanent connection with (as opposed to serration from), God the Father!
To give us this one thing we truly need – a lasting home, a permanent dwelling place, an eternal relationship with God, forever – is why Jesus came to earth in the flesh.
Jesus Christ has done all that needed to be done for our salvation . . . gives us freedom from fear . . . confidence for continuing the good fight . . . victory over our enemies including death . . . the security of His presence.
Christ indeed is our HIGH “rock” - the One we depend on for salvation . . . for shelter in the time of storm . . . for eternal security!
Why not, therefore, shout for joy and make merry unto the Lord! Amen.
