OUR DELIVERER WHO BRINGS US VICTORY

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“When the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders, who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. He will deliver us from the Assyrians when they invade our land and march across our borders. The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for anyone or depend on man. The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which mauls and mangles as it goes, and no one can rescue. Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies, and all your foes will be destroyed.”

Micah 5:5b-9

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

In yesterday’s devotion, drawn from the opening verses of Micah 5, we found the Lord speaking powerful words to His people, words that proclaimed the coming of the promised Messiah, A mighty Ruler who would rescue and save them. This Savior would bring security and peace to Israel who would live in the protection of His greatness.

As we continue to look at this chapter, we find the Lord reinforcing His words about the coming Warrior Leader who would shepherd Israel and guard against their enemies. Look again at these words here:

“He will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders, who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. He will deliver us from the Assyrians when they invade our land and march across our borders. The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for anyone or depend on man. The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which mauls and mangles as it goes, and no one can rescue. Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies, and all your foes will be destroyed.”  Micah 5:5-9

The Assyrians here were symbolic of any enemy Israel would face.

Why use the Assyrians?

Possibly because the memory of how the true Assyrians ran roughshod over Israel, destroying the nation and leaving it in ruin, would still be fresh on the minds of the Israelite people. Essentially, God was telling them that they would not be conquered in the same fashion again once the Messiah arrived. No one would be able to rival the power the nation of Israel would possess as the Israelites would one day be “lion among the beasts of the forest” or a “young lion among flocks of sheep”, imagery that paints a picture of prey helpless against their attacker. Indeed, God went on to say that no one would be able to rescue Israel’s enemies from their hand which would be “lifted up in triumph” over their foes who would be destroyed.

Imagine how this word from God had to encourage the people of Israel at a time when they were deeply in need of encouragement. They would need to remember these words as they came under Roman oppression before Jesus, the foretold Messiah arrived. They would need to keep in mind that God had promised them the victory through Jesus.

Today, this message still stands to all believers who place their faith, hope, and trust in Jesus.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

You see, through Jesus, we are victorious people and need to live like it. For just as Jesus came as the Deliverer of Israel, He still delivers God’s people today from the death penalty of sin, the sin He chose to bear on Calvary’s cross as He served as the final sacrifice required for atonement. Anyone who believes in Christ as Savior is justified or made just as if they had never sinned when they come before God on the day of judgment. Salvation is born out of this pardon, the blessed assurance that death is not the end for Christians but only the glorious, beautiful beginning of life forever with Jesus and God His Father who gave Him up out of love for us.

As we approach Valentine’s Day tomorrow, let’s all reflect on the cross where love was found in its purest, most perfect sense in Jesus, our Deliverer who brings us victory.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark
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