Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 11:30-33.
“If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.” 2 Corinthians 11:30-33.
——————————-
Paul had just finished an amazing listing of all the sufferings and labors that he endured to prove his care for the Corinthians. It certainly could be reason for his boasting. But, Paul here pauses to reflect on his weakness. Paul gives an example of his weakness. Paul was delivered when he was let him down in a basket through a window in the wall to escape the guarded city.
Likewise, we can similarly reflect on our lives. We have our own sufferings and our own labors, but our summary and conclusion is like Paul’s one. We were delivered by our Sovereign and Almighty God and Faithful Father. God’s deliverance is the nutshell story of our lives. God’s deliverance is also the best summary and conclusion of salvation in Scripture.
Reformed doctrine a/k/a Calvinism, particularly “TULIP” recognizes this point that God’s deliverance is the best summary and conclusion of salvation in Scripture. In briefest summary and conclusion, we were dead in sin and hostile to God (“Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”), totally unable to save ourselves, and God delivered us. “God is to us a God of deliverances; And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.” Psalm 68:20
There are an amazing 410 verses in Scripture which speak about deliverance (although some of them do not concern God’s deliverance). Here is a link in case you want to do your own search. Click here: BibleGateway.com – Keyword Search: deliver
I just started with the Psalms and could not get through it. Here are just some verses that speak about God’s deliverance.
Psalm 18:2
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.
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.
Psalm 22:4
In You our fathers trusted; They trusted and You delivered them.
In You our fathers trusted; They trusted and You delivered them.
Psalm 22:5
To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed.
To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed.
Psalm 22:8
“Commit yourself to the LORD; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”
“Commit yourself to the LORD; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”
Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.
You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.
I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 37:40
The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, Because they take refuge in Him.
The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, Because they take refuge in Him.
Psalm 54:7
For He has delivered me from all trouble, And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.
For He has delivered me from all trouble, And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.
Psalm 33:13-22 presents a good conclusion.
13 The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14 From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
He sees all the sons of men;
14 From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.” Psalm 33:13-22.
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.” Psalm 33:13-22.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 