Salvation

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Psalm 99:2 The Lord Is Above All

The Lord is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples. Psalm 99:2

Throughout history there have been men and women who have been great in various different ways. They have done things that have helped nations and people around the world do things better or safer. Out of the many who have done great things, there are only a few who have actually did something that greatly affected everyone. And of all the things done, none of them have been able to overcome death that comes to each and every person at some point without failing.

The psalmist tells the people that God is great in Zion and high above all people.

Various people have felt that they were the highest, greatest or most powerful person on the earth. Some have conquered many nations and peoples, growing very strong and powerful. All of these were able to do this for a short time in history. One thing common with all of them is that each and every one of them have died.

As the world honors these men and women for their great accomplishments, the world will also reject the One who is high above all. The world is quick to reject Jesus who, not only created everything, but has also conquered the greatest problem for mankind–death.

Through infinite wisdom and power, God orchestrated everything to work in His ways to bring about the ability to have salvation for every person. No person has ever been able to do what the Lord Jesus Christ has been able to do.

Being able to bring about salvation and overcome death places Jesus so high above all people that no one can come close to comparing to Him or His abilities. For this, God is to be served, worshipped and honored by all above all others.

You may know some people who have done some great things, or you may have also done something great yourself. When you think about what has been done by someone, nothing is as great as what God has done through Jesus Christ for you. Beginning with the creation of this world and ending with providing forgiveness and eternal life for you, places the Lord above high above you and all the people of the earth. Give Him all your praise and honor for what He has done for you.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know what God has done for you; that you will recognize who great God is; and that you will know how much higher God is above all people.

Picture by Kevin Bosc on Unsplash

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Psalm 98:2 Salvation Is Available

The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. Psalm 98:2

Having problems is common to everyone, however, finding a solution to the problem is often very difficult. The world can see many different problems that people face all over the world and are seeking ways to solve those problems. There is a common recognition that the world may not last forever. Everyone has different thoughts on what to do. Various things are tried, with every solution the world finds are failing at some point or another to accomplish their desire.

During a time of praise, the psalmist writes that God has made known His salvation and righteousness to the nations.

Throughout the world there is often a feeling of hopelessness and doomsday thinking. Violence is seen everywhere. Sickness abounds more and more. Natural storms appear to be larger than ever. People are seeking purpose for their lives. Suicide is rising to cope with the lack of hope. And ultimately, everyone will die.

The world is seeking to be like God and provide the answers to everything, to live forever, yet are falling short and failing.

Nearly two thousand years ago, God provided a Hope that the world can have. Despite the sin of mankind, God has provided a way to remove that sin and give every person life, abundant and eternal life. This was not done is secret or only to a select few people, but in a time and place for the world to see and know.

Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead to reveal God’s plan of salvation for every person. While the majority of the world rejects God’s plan of salvation in Jesus, there are many who have chosen to believe, repent of their sins and are saved.

In your life, there are probably many things that occur that do not make sense. You may be seeking to find purpose in your life and to be rescued from the chaos and troubles of this world.

God loves you more than you will ever know or fully understand. With that great love, He has provided a way of salvation in spite of the chaos of this fallen world. He has revealed it in Jesus. Forgiveness and salvation is available through belief in Jesus. There is a hope and salvation that you can have.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will believe in the work of Jesus upon the cross; that you will know the salvation God has made for you; and that you will know the abundant life God has for you.

Picture by Eberhard Grossgasteiger on Unsplash

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Psalm 86:13 God’s Great Mercy

For great is Your mercy toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. Psalm 85:13

Judges are not always known to have mercy upon someone. They are more known for throwing the full book of the law against someone who has done something wrong. Occasionally there is a judge who sees someone who is truly repentant and has mercy upon that person. Once in a while a judge will lighten or even remove the sentence of judgement and deliver the person from the harsh judgement of the law, having mercy upon the person.

David recognized God great mercy towards him, and that God had delivered his soul from death.

Anytime someone has done something wrong or made a bad choice, the person desires for those in authority to have mercy in the judgement. No one wants to go through the full extent of punishment by the law, no matter how much it is deserved.

Judgements made by judges on this earth are just temporary judgements. The punishment only lasts for a time and is over.

God has set a standard for every person to live. It is one of holiness and righteousness. However, no person, except Jesus, has ever been able to live up to God’s standard of living. The moment one has sinned against God, that person deserves the harshest punishment for all eternity.

In His great love and mercy, God has provided a way for a person to have eternal life, despite having sinned against Him. His great mercy is found in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus died and rose again so that the person who believes in Him may receive forgiveness and be delivered from the judgement of death and be given eternal life, though not deserved or earned.

From the moment you first sinned as a child, you have a death sentence upon your head. There is a judgement against you to send you to hell for all eternity. The only way to get out of that judgement is by the mercy of God found in Jesus Christ, who died for you and is willing to forgive you of those sins. Be willing to repent of your sins and seek His mercy. Accept what Jesus has done for you and be delivered from the judgement of eternal death and separation from God.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will seek God’s mercy upon your life; that you will repent of your sins against God; that you will know the deliverance Jesus provides from eternal death; and that you will know and accept God’s mercy towards you.

Picture by Chandran Chaurasia on Unsplash

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Psalm 68:19 Daily Benefits From God

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah Psalm 68:19

People are always seeking out having special benefits in many different ways. It is common for workplaces to give their workers some benefits in working there, free food, discounted prices of merchandise or services, discounts on local events and much more. These benefits are little perks that that are ways that businesses can say thank you to those working for them. It gives people a slight advantage above those not working there and sometimes will encourage others to begin working in that place.

David writes in this psalm that God, who daily gives out benefits to them and is their salvation, is to be blessed.

The world understands the blessing of benefits and will often seek for them. Without benefits, people will often turn to another place. Getting a benefit is bonus that encourages people to remain loyal and dedicated to something or someone.

Although most people do not always recognize them, God is pouring out benefits daily upon those who follow Him. There is His peace when a person’s world is in chaos and turmoil. Joy while in the midst of pain and suffering. Hope when the world is showing disaster and no hope. Meaning to life in a world searching for purpose. Forgiveness for those who are guilty of wrong. His presence when everyone else has left. Ultimately, salvation with eternal life in heaven with God.

It may be difficult for some people to see these benefits in the midst of the daily struggles, but they are there. All a believer needs to do is be willing to open the spiritual eyes to see what God is doing or has already done, then give God praise for those benefits that the world cannot know nor have.

From the moment you chose to follow Jesus, God is on your side to build you up and provide more than you need. He is willing to load you up daily with the benefits of following Him and turning away from the sin and death of this world.

When the world is trying to turn you away from God, stop and take a moment to realize all the benefits you have in following God. See how blessed you are in Christ Jesus and give God praise for what He has done for you and is doing for you each day.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the benefits God provides you each day; and that you will give God praise for what He has done for you.

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Psalm 67:1-2 Blessed To Make God Known

God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah, that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among the nations. Psalm 67:1-2

Being blessed is often seen as something best for self and not for the benefit of others. People hold onto their own personal blessings for their own good, not to bless others. Selfishness and pride rise to the top when things are going good and successful for most people. They begin to look down upon others, rather than passing those blessings along or showing where those blessings came from.

In this psalm, the writer asks God to be merciful and bless them and cause His face to shine upon them so that His ways and salvation may be known among the nations.

Any person who has done something wrong will seek mercy upon the one judging them. No one wants the books thrown at them in harsh judgement. Along with not desiring the harsh judgement, everyone wants to be blessed and have great favor. This is most often to just look good in the eyes of everyone else.

Believers in the church will often have this same problem with self pride. They want to look like a good Christian believer in the eyes of others in the church. Their purpose for looking good is not so that the world may know God and His ways.

God’s purpose for believers upon this earth is to make Jesus known among the nations. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and then passed that mission onto every believer so that none would be lost.

As God has mercy and blesses a person, that person must be willing to share what God has done with others, letting the whole world know of God’s great mercy and love.

God has been merciful in your own life in forgiving you of the sins you have committed against Him. He has also poured out many blessings, if you take time to see them and count all of them in your life. These things God has done is not for you to hoard them and make you look good, but so that you can show the world His mercy and way to salvation.

Each day you will have opportunities to share what God has done in your life with someone who needs to hear it. Let the whole world know.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s mercy in your life; that you will know God’s blessings in your life; that you will tell the world of the mercy and salvation God provides; and that God’s face will shine upon you.

Picture by Tim Zankert on Unsplash