“In all their affliction he was afflicted,
and the angel of his presence saved them;
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”
– Isaiah 63:9
What a beautiful summary of God’s saving work throughout all of history! What was true in ancient days remains true today. What God did for Israel then, He does for everyone Who loves and follows Jesus now. If Jesus is your Savior, then this verse describes your life! Praise God!!! When His people are afflicted, God feels their pain. When His people are suffering, God suffers too! God doesn’t observe the pain of His people from a distance. He doesn’t watch it with with bored half-attention like a show on Netflix. When you’re hurting, God aches!
In ancient days, God saved His people through His visible cloud presence and the miraculous work of the Angel of the Lord. Now, His saving work is even more personal. Today, He saves through His Son Jesus. Whenever anyone puts their faith in the resurrected Jesus as Lord, Jesus unites Himself with them and the Holy Spirit seals and indwells that person. You are saved and sanctified by God’s presence and power in you!
God has forever redeemed us from sin by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. God bought our freedom from death through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are set free from sin’s terrible power and consequences. Though you may still sin, sin no longer owns you if Jesus is your Lord. You are God’s free, loved, adopted child and empowered to live a life of true holiness in that freedom.
It is God Who did this – both in ancient days and in your life today. We don’t lift ourselves up by good morals, rigid discipline, or hard work. Your Father in Heaven has raised you up to new life as a gift of grace through faith in Jesus. He carries you today in His love and Spirit just as He has always carried His people. #FollowJesus