My Deliverer

    As I've walked through my earthly existence, the Lord has shown me that He fights for me. He has been my deliverer. He has delivered me from the hand of the enemy. He has delivered me from destruction. In Exodus 17:15, it says, "And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner;" (NKJV) This translates to the title Jehovah-Nissi. God raised a banner for the children of Israel over the Amalekites in the battle they were fighting. He covered them. After that Moses noted the place God did it with an altar there. This was to remind the Israelites that God overcame their enemies for them. He delivered them just like He has often delivered me. 

    When I ponder my own life, I have to see God as my own personal redeemer. In so many ways, God has shown me. It started when I gave my life to Him. He delivered me from sin. No matter what anyone says, this is where true deliverance begins. Psalm 18:2 says,”The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (ESV) 

    My battles haven’t always been physical, though some have. God has delivered me from wrong mindsets. He has saved me from infirmity. He has delivered me from some traps that the devil has tried to place in my path. Sometimes deliverance is unseen; in which God doesn’t allow you to even know the things that could befall you. God has kept me from so many circumstances and situations that others have faced. I don’t say this to brag on myself, but to glorify God. 

    I remember the times that Satan tried to take my life. He tried before birth and after. I was delivered from seizures. I haven’t had one in almost 3 years. I have been rescued from depression. Now, I have a clear mind. I am even starting to get my memory back from all the years of continuous seizures that altered my thinking. I am delivered from poverty. I no longer have a mindset that doesn’t believe that God has given me every good and perfect gift. (James 1:17)  I have been set free from guilt and condemnation.(Romans 8:1) The Psalmist says in chapter 40 verse 17, ”As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!” (ESV) I will take it one step further and say that I was (past tense) poor and needy, but God is my help and deliverer. He did NOT delay! 

    The thing about deliverance is that once you have truly lived freely, you will never want to be bound again. Galatians 5:1 says it like this, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (ESV) I remember there were poignant times when I called out to God to rescue me and I didn’t know at the moment I was already freed. The chains, though they felt like that held on, had been broken when Jesus took my place on the cross. God made the truth of my deliverance evident. John 8:32 puts like this,“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (ESV)  When He died it was for my freedom. John 8:36 in the Amplified Bible says this, “So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.” That very verse alone stands on its own. As that Word became clearer and clearer, I saw past all the lies the devil said to be able to shut him down when he tried to talk to me. 

    The mere fact that my enemy, the devil, would try to make me re-examine my emancipation was an indication that I was on the right track. It is here I can see God as my deliverer. He fought for me. Jesus said, ”All power has been given to me both in heaven and on Earth.” (Matthew 28:18) He in turn gave me power to live a whole existence in strength by His might. I now live free because of Jesus. He gave us “the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19 NKJV) Now I walk in the jurisdiction of my deliverance. There is no room for questions. I am delivered now and forevermore. 

Let’s pray: Lord, I come to you on behalf of everyone who could be struggling with seeing you and the deliverer. You said in Zephaniah 3:17 that, “You are the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”(NIV) You are the One who fights for us. You are our banner, Jehovah-Nissi. You overcome our enemies. Lord, we trust that You have redeemed us on the cross. You have freed us. Lord, it was done on the cross and we can always place our trust in that. Lord, You have rescued us. We are now completely and totally liberated in Jesus' name. Thank you, Lord, for doing this just for us. In the matchless name of Jesus. Amen. 

If you are reading this and have never accepted Jesus as Your Lord and Savior this is the time. If you have once walked with God, but you have strayed away, here is your moment. There will never be a more ideal time than now to surrender your life to the One who loves you most. He wants to call you out of darkness into His marvelous light. No strings attached. No hidden motives. He just wants a relationship with you. If this is you please say the prayer below. 

Sinner’s Prayer: Lord, I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. He died on the cross just for me. I also confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that He rose again on the 3rd day, paying my sin debt in full. He is now seated at the right hand of power, interceding for me to the Father. I thank You, Jesus, that as I pray this prayer and believe with my heart that You have saved me. I receive Your love and commit my life to You. You are now the Lord of my life. Thank You for all that You have done and will do for me in the future. In Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture references: Exodus 17:15, Psalm 18:2, James 1:17, Romans 8:1, Psalm 40:17, Galatians 5:1, John 8:32, John 8:36 AMP, Matthew 28:18,  Luke 10:19 NKJV,  Zephaniah 3:17 NIV - all verses in the English Standard Version unless otherwise specified.

 Follow Me: https://linktr.ee/ministerericalstandley