“..Salvation is of the Lord” (Jon 2:9) A cry of hope that went forth out of the prophet Jonah, after a harsh trial he experienced. By it he proclaimed that there was no way for humanity to be delivered except through this free gift from God. There is no deliverance from sin, from the lure of the world or from the authority of the devil except by this salvation. Salvation means deliverance; rescue, victory, prosperity: -, it’s the hope of humanity to get rid of the misery and suffering that has accompanied it from the dawn of history.
The earth was cursed because of the sin of Adam, whom God had created from the dust of the ground (Gen 2:7), when Adam rebelled against the commandment of God. The earth that he was taken out of subsequently became rebellious too, thus it was cursed because of him (Gen 3: 17) and it brought forth thorns and thistles (Gen 3:18)
Man lived hoping for salvation from the consequences of his sins, he tried by his own works to gain salvation but to no avail; all he got was failure, despair and loss of hope (Is 41:29). Hence, he had no other options but to ask for the salvation of the Lord, this salvation that was searched for by all and was not found except in Jesus Christ (1 Pe 1:10). For Jesus alone saves from sin (Mat 1:21). Thus, God did not let the revelation of His salvation be without a witness, for He is faithful to himself (2Ti 2:13). For God’s salvation is fully witnessed to, by heaven, by people and even by the powers of hell.
The powers of hell witnessed when a slave woman, who was totally under a demonic influence from a spirit of divination, followed around Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke for many days while they were preaching about the Lord Jesus in the city of Philippi. She cried out, saying, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who are announcing to us a way of salvation!” (Act 16:17). Even the evil spirits confessed that there was no way to be saved and freed from their grip and authority except through God’s salvation.
People witnessing to this salvation was vividly evident when the Holy Spirit led the great old man Simeon to go to the temple at the same time that Joseph and Mary went to dedicate baby Jesus to God. Simeon took the baby in his arms and blessed God in front of all those in the temple saying: “…Lord, now You will let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word. For my eyes have seen Your Salvation which You have prepared before the face of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luk 2:29-31). By this prophetic declaration, God’s salvation was no longer something to be hoped for by people, but it became an existing reality that could be experienced by the incarnation of Jesus Christ the savior.
As for heaven’s witnessing to this salvation, it was proclaimed by an angel of God who appeared to a group of shepherds declaring to them great news, saying “…Behold, I give to you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For to you is born today, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luk 2:10, 11). This heavenly proclamation declaring the birth of the Savior ends the misery and pain of humanity from the consequences of sin, which are a cursed earth and eternal damnation. Moreover, it marks a new beginning of joy, happiness and comfort to humanity through salvation whose outcomes are earthly blessings (Gal 3:14) heavenly blessings (Eph 1:3) and eternal life (Joh 3:15).
Let us accept this salvation and not neglect it, because it is of great value (Heb 2:3) so that we can openly speak and declare it to humanity who by accepting it, would come out of their dark tunnel into the marvelous light of Christ (1 Pe 2:9)
Prayer..
My heavenly father…
Let my heart accept Your salvation..
Let my hands take hold of it…
Let my eyes see it…
I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior..,
So that my sins would be forgiven…
And I would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…
Amen
Happy New Year
