Day 3 — God's Deliverance

Scripture: Psalm 48:4-5

"⁴ When the kings joined forces,
    when they advanced together,
⁵ they saw her and were astounded;
    they fled in terror."

It is possible here that the Psalmist is talking about a one of the sieges against Jerusalem, whether it is was the siege of the Assyrian army during the reign of Hezekiah, or the siege during the reign of Jehoshaphat

What makes this verse beautiful is the connection to the prophecy of Jesus coming down a second time, reigning from Jerusalem, and all of the powers and kings of the Earth coming against Him in a final battle. 

Revelation 20:9 states 

"And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,"

Another instance where God has delivered His people, and a highlight of where He will do it again.

He is our Savior, our Redeemer, our Deliverer.

And another beautiful aspect of this verse is how the psalmist refers to the holy city as "she"

We know that she is often referred to as the Church, the Bride of Christ.

And the love that a husband has for his wife, to die for his wife, paints a picture of just how much Christ loves the Church, His people, to bleed and die on a cross for us, to save us from our sins so that we can be in relationship with Him

Ephesians 5:25 states 

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her"

His sacrifice on the cross is what redeems us, its what saves us from our everyday failures. 

And He is coming back for His Church, to deliver His people once again.

Revelation 19:7 states 

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready."

The wedding of the Lamb is coming.

And nobody knows the day or the hour.

We must all be ready for His second coming, to be able to be confident, and not shameful.

The holy city where He delivered Gods people already, He will come down and deliver us again.

Reflection

Is there anything I am holding onto in my life that makes me feel not ready for Christ's coming?

What is keeping me from fully submitting in this area of my life?

Prayer

Dear Lord, praise your name that You have delivered and continue to deliver Your people. There are many cases in my life where You have delivered me as well. You have delivered me from my ways, my sin, and from satan. Please help me to continue cutting off sin in my life, that I may grow in my relationship with you. That me, a part of your Bride, can be ready for Your coming to deliver Your people once again. Help me to take the steps that I need to take today, and not wait for tomorrow. Amen. 

Today’s Thought

I will take the steps I need to today to be ready for Christ's second coming.