The Lord, My Deliverer
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress” Psalm 107:19 (ESV)
Praise be to our Father and to our Lord Jesus Christ! January is celebrated by many Christians, as the month of Epiphany. Epiphany simply means “revelation”. Throughout the old testament, God would reveal Himself to his people at different times and in different circumstances. For instance,
Moses experienced the victory of God when he won the battle against the Amalekites. He then called the Lord “my victory” or Jehovah Nissi (Exod 17:15).
Abraham experienced God as provider when He provided a sacrifice. He called the Lord Jehovah Jireh - The Lord my Provider (Gen 22:14)
And there are many other examples. One particular way in which God revealed Himself to us, has been on my mind these past few days - specifically, “The Lord, my deliverer”. In Hebrew, this is Jehovah Mephalti (I must admit I had to look this up!). The word “deliverer,” means, “to (cause to) escape; to carry away safely” (Strong).
A few weeks ago while I was driving through the city, in what was supposed to be a normal day of business, I got caught up in a tense situation. Several angry youths began to gather in groups on the street and shop owners started closing their shops in anticipation of rioting. Within a few minutes, police arrived in large numbers. Together with other motorists, I began to look for exit routes. It looked like the situation was going to escalate into angry confrontation. As the arriving police began to seal off the main roads, I found myself driving through routes that were unfamiliar not sure where I was going and whether I was driving towards even worse situations. I thought of leaving my car behind and joining the people around me who were panicking and running away from the area. Then, as I started praying and speaking in tongues, the Holy Spirit reminded me – The Lord is my deliverer. He is the one who causes me to escape and carries me away safely. Hallelujah! I eventually reached home – safe and sound. I believe He is the one who led me out of the location, through the unfamiliar streets to reach home safely. Praise be to His Name!
Psalm 107 testifies of God’s power to deliver in several ways from various situations.
To those who are lost, verse 4-7 says …he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way, till they reached a city to dwell in.
To those who are in darkness, held captive, verse 10 -14 says … he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.
To those who are captive to sin, sickness, suffering, verse 17-20 says … he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
To those who are going about their normal daily businesses and are then caught unawares by tense and fearful situations (like me!), verse 23-30 says … he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters[c] were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
Notice that in each of these scriptures, when people turn to the Lord, cry to the Lord for help, He delivers them – causes them to escape and brings them out safely. God will deliver – because He is a deliverer. He may not always do it the way you expect or foresee. Sometimes He may seem to be silent when you expect action from Him. Rest assured – He will deliver you!
King David, called on God as His deliverer probably more times than anyone else in the bible. This is because he experienced God’s deliverance in practical terms very often. Whether it was from King Saul, seeking to kill him, or from tribes such as the Philistines, or from wild animals like the lion and the bear, whilst he was looking after sheep, he trusted God as His deliverer. God was faithful to deliver Him from ALL his afflictions. No wonder he testified in Psalm 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all”.
So what about you? Do you need God to cause you to escape and to carry you away safely from enemies, from trouble, from sicknesses and from disasters? God is no respecter of persons and what He did for David he can do for you and I. Jesus – who is the image of God, is the ultimate deliverer! His very name means to deliver (to save). His Kingdom is the ultimate safe haven. Trust Him today and every day for your deliverance. He is Jehovah Mephalti – the Lord, My deliverer!
QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION / DISCUSSION
Read any or all of the four portions of scripture mentioned from Psalm 107. Verse 4-9 or 10-16 or 17-22 or 23-31. In what ways did God deliver those who cried to Him for help?
Identify 3 examples in the gospels where Jesus demonstrates deliverance.
What would have happened if He had not intervened?
What was the result of His intervention?
Share how you have experienced God’s deliverance?
What was the crises?
How did God deliver you?
PRAYER POINTS
Thank God for Jesus through whom we have ultimate deliverance. We have been set free from the Kingdom of darkness and gifted with eternal life.
Pray for Uganda and for nations around the world as the Holy Spirit leads.
