MEDITATIONS
FROM THE PSALMS
December 22, 2004
Reading: Psalm 18: 13-17
“He sent from above … He delivered
me” Psalm
When you, my soul, look for the purpose and
accomplishments surrounding the birth of Jesus, these words give sufficient
answer for all of your questions. Jesus, your Savior,
the Great Apostle, the One sent from heaven to deliver your soul from the
tyranny of sin. . . . It is the most unbelievable story the world has ever
known. That God should become a man, live as a man, and die as a man is a
concept that might come from the imaginations of a Greek philosopher, but that
He was born as a baby, conceived by God Himself, and carried in the womb of a
human virgin, stretches the depths of any imagination. The glorious wonder of
this story is that every part of it is true. Is there any wonder that the
angels sang “Glory to God in the highest!”
Lord Jesus, You were always quick to teach your
disciples that You were the Sent One, sent from heaven
by Your Father, sent for the purpose of providing salvation for Your people.
While this is gloriously true, my Redeemer, I pray I will never be slow in
praising You for Your willingness to be sent.
“Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not
consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” Phil
2:5-7.
Consider this, soul of mine, your Creator set aside
His glory and became man. He did not suddenly appear on the
But for what purpose? your
deliverance—for you were bound by the chains of sin, imprisoned by God’s
arch-enemy, and wallowing in the depths of hell. But, enough of what I was and
where I was, for now you rejoice in that salvation only He could provide. My
soul, you have been delivered!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye
diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon
flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Accept my praise, dear
Lord, for sending Your Son, my Redeemer, into this wretched, thankless world.
Thank You for my salvation which You accomplished
through His willingness to be born in such humble surroundings.
Rejoice, my soul, for you are
privileged indeed.
“My
soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” Luke