April 4

DELIVERANCE
by Ray Prinzing

"But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in Whom we trust that He will yet deliver."                                       (2 Corinthians 1:9-10)

Paul viewed deliverance as past, present, and future, and spoke of how God hath, doth, and will yet deliver us.  Each facet and dimension works out more of His purpose, with no part lacking.  For one of the words translated as "deliverance" is the Greek word "apolutrosis," meaning "a loosing away."  Same root is used for REDEMPTION, in referring to the redemption of our body when we will be loosed from this grossly material body, and be clothed upon with a body like unto His glorious body.  That will be our final deliverance for the physical realm.  But even now, betimes, praise God, there are healings from pain, sickness, disease, distress, etc.  And one can say, "many are the afflictions of the righteous: the Lord delivereth him out of them all."  (Psalm 34:19).

Not every need involves healing for the body, for there are many other needs that beset mankind, yet we cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their trouble."  (Psalm 34:17).

Deliverance and escapism are not synonymous.  True deliverance must be brought into relationship with the truths of overcoming, which entrails that we go through the situation, learn its lessons, are purified by its travail, and then ascend to victory by the inworkings of God.  Only this kind of deliverance can be lasting and complete.  All other deliverances are but "in part," needed for the moment to give us enough respite to gain strength to go on, but overcoming is the real issue before us in all our deliverances.  Salvation for the who man is more than just a beautiful dream, it shall be a glorious reality.

Loosed from painful doubts and fears,
To know that He has mastery,
And nought His purpose interferes.