Jesus Our Deliverer: Freedom for the Weary Soul

“I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord” (Psalms 40:1-3)

Welcome back dear student these powerful verses show the Lord taking action on behalf of those stuck in trouble - the heart of our Good Shepherd. Psalms 23 illustrates how He provides for His loved ones – He feeds, protects, defends and blesses, ensuring complete preservation, so we can rest safely under His care. The lead Scripture demonstrates our Shepherd’s deliverance: He’s listening for our cry. He’s on the scene – lifting us out of despair. God then positions us safely, from where we can advance. This relationship causes contentment, joy, and thankfulness - affecting even those around us to also trust in God.

During times of crisis, it can feel like the whole world is crashing down. Even in the darkest times though, you can reap the benefit of having deposited God’s Word into your heart. Paul asks in Ephesians ‘when the evil day comes, will you be able to stand?’(Ephesians 6:13). Only those who have prepared will be able. Being prepared is not hoarding water and cans of beans: but investing in a meaningful relationship with God through His Son Jesus. It’s in His Word where we get to know Him for the Lord Jesus is the ‘Word of God’(John 1:14).

God speaks of the ‘mire’ often. It describes a clay like substance with a quicksand effect. When a body is soaked in mire it is very difficult to lift one’s legs or resist against the pull downwards. Many situations - be they health, relationships, or financial can have this same impact upon folks. The feeling of being too tired to fight, being overwhelmed, or going under. But friend, in every situation - change is possible! Jesus is our Deliverer - that means He fought so that we wouldn’t have to. He gifted us freedom from sin, curse and destruction by enduring and coming out the other side of death and hell victoriously (Psalms 107:20). But if a person doesn’t know that they cannot benefit from His work. Jesus promised that we can come to Him, when we are heavy laden and burdened, and He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Billionaires cannot buy the rest that Jesus gives. In knowing the Lord, even if one is facing the worst of circumstances you can stay in peace in the midst of the trouble, because you’re not the one who has to come up with the solution! Jesus is the answer. God is the One who strengthens you and enables you to overcome (Isaiah 40:28-31). “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket of tasks” (Psalms 81:6).

At times life can feel overwhelming simply because there’s so much to do. But God promises that you “can do all things through Christ who strengthens you” (Philippians 4:13). The Anointing that Jesus walked in is available to believers who obey and walk with Him daily. Isaiah prophesied that it’s the ‘Anointing that destroys the yoke’ (Isaiah 10:27). What he saw was that those who knew and trusted in God, grew fat in His Presence. The world is obsessed with losing weight - but here the Lord reveals that the nourishment that comes from abiding in His Presence causes condition to come upon that one’s spirit that bursts through every restrictive yoke, bringing freedom, by His Spirit - not man’s power or strength (Zechariah 4:6). Praise the Lord!