SAVE US SO THOSE OF US YOU LOVE MAY BE DELIVERED

Proclamation:

“But for those who fear You, You have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.  Save us and help us with Your right hand, that those You love may be delivered.”  Psalm 60:4-5 (NIV)

Explanation:

The words of this psalm were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by King David.  This psalm is thought to be a literal reference to the dismay of the people over a military battle lost (Psalm 60:1-3) and a subsequent victory over them. (Psalm 60:8)  It is also thought to be a prophetic reference to the coming of Christ. (Psalm 60:4)  The banner here is thought to be a reference to The Messiah, who will be the standard or ensign of Israel in the last days. (Isaiah 11:10-16)  Jesus, The Christ, came into the world so that the people of God, those who believe and fear Him, and whom He loves, could be saved and delivered.

Application:

Jesus, The Christ, came into this world to save us because we were all lost in sin. (Matthew 18:11, John 1:29, and 1 John 2:2)  Only those of us who believe in Him will be saved and delivered. (John 3:16)  Once we are saved our job is to praise Him and to tell others about Him.  We are to go forth into the world and spread the gospel to the lost. (Matthew 28:19)  We are to invite them and compel them to come to The Lord. (Luke 14:21-23)  We are to hold Christ up for the world to see, by our words and our behavior, and He will draw them to Himself. (John 12:32)  Those who were invited and chose not to come will remain lost for eternity. (Luke 14:24)  However, in order for us to do God’s work, we will need God’s help. (Psalm 60:12)  We are in a battle with Satan for the lost in this world. (Ephesians 6:12)  We need to put on the whole armor of God in order to stand tall in this battle. (Ephesians 6:11-18)  By doing so, in the end we will be victorious. (Romans 8:37-39)

THE COMING OF JESUS THE CHRIST WAS PREDICTED

Proclamation:

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from His roots a Branch will bear fruit.  The Spirit of The LORD will rest on him; The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, The Spirit of counsel and of power, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of The LORD; and He will delight in the fear of The LORD … but with righteousness He will judge …"  Isaiah 11:1-4 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the prophet Isaiah under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Isaiah predicted the coming of Jesus, The Christ, more than 600 to 700 years before the birth of Christ.  Isaiah said that Jesus was to be born in the line of Jesse, King David's father.  He would possess The Spirit of The LORD and that He would be a righteous judge.  Isaiah had said earlier that Christ would be born (Isaiah 9:6-7) and that He would be the rightful heir to the throne of David.  He would rule and His rule would have no end.  He would be called by many names including “Mighty God” and the “Prince of Peace.”

Application:

The Bible contains numerous predictions of the coming of Christ.  This particular Old Testament prediction reveals the blood-line of Jesus, The Christ, and describes some of the attributes of God that He would possess.  He would have The Spirit of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel and might.  He would be all knowing and all powerful.  This coming holiday which we celebrate, is actually a “Holy Day” commemorating the birth of Christ, and it has much more significance than we give it today.  His conception by The Holy Spirit and His birth through a virgin were ordained by God so that He could save us from our sins. (Matthew 1:18-23)  Jesus was born to be the sacrificial Lamb who would pay the price for our sins and the sins of the world. (John 1:29)  However, only those of us who believe that He is The Son of God will be saved. (John 3:16)