Hurricane Harvey hit Houston two months after we moved away from the north Houston suburb we’d lived in for six years. The natural disaster devasted Houston requiring thousands of water rescues.
Like many of you, I watched the drama play out in real time. I prayed for the victims and rooted for the rescuers. I particularly admired the “Cajun Navy,” those civilians from south Louisiana who brought their boats and their courage to help their neighbors.
Stories of rescue and deliverance abound, but there is no greater deliverer, no more powerful rescuer than Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth on a rescue mission.
The night He was born, the angel announced this truth to a bunch of lowly shepherds in the field. “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:10-11, ESV).
Yes, Jesus came to save our souls, but the scope of His great salvation touches every part of our lives today. Here are 10 ways He's proven to truly be your Deliverer:
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1. Your Deliverer Heals Loneliness (John 5:1-9)
The lame man had been paralyzed 38 years. He lay by the pool of Bethsaida because many believed the waters had healing power. When Jesus encountered the invalid, He asked him, “Do you want to be healed?”
The man’s answer revealed much more than his physical condition. “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me” (John 5:7, ESV).
Although surrounded by people, the man was alone. He had no one to help him, no one to care for him.
Yes, Jesus healed the man’s body. But Jesus did much more for him as well.
Jesus shattered his loneliness.
Jesus saw the man’s need when no one else did. And He sees yours. The Deliverer graciously confirmed the man’s value as a person worth caring about, the way He cares about you.
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” -- John 5:8
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2. Your Deliverer Removes Sickness and Obstacles (Luke 4:38-41)
Once, when Jesus visited Peter’s home, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a high fever. The Scripture tells us that Jesus “rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.”
I don’t know about you, but whenever I’ve been sick with a fever, I feel pretty wrung out even after the fever is gone. Jesus’ healing was so complete, so thorough, that the woman was immediately able to cook and serve. And the word spread quickly.
Many others in need came to Peter’s home seeking Jesus’ deliverance. He touched each one. He healed every one of them.
Jesus sees you and He knows your needs. He is able to heal illness and remove obstacles, thoroughly and completely.
At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. -- Luke 4:40
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3. Your Deliverer Overpowers Demons (Luke 4:33-36)
Even demons recognize the power of Jesus. Once in the synagogue when Jesus encountered a demon-possessed man, the demon asked, “Have you come to destroy us?” The demon knew Jesus had full authority to not simply cast it out, but also to destroy it.
Jesus delivered that man and many others from demon possession and oppression. He still has power over demons today, and He still delivers you from their grasp.
“Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. -- Luke 4:35
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4. Your Deliverer Neutralizes Nature’s Threats (Mark 4:35-41)
Sin has broken everything, including nature and the weather, making our world a dangerous place at times.
One night, the disciples experienced this on the Sea of Galilee. The wind grew so strong that waves broke into the boat, threatening their very lives. They woke the sleeping Jesus and asked, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
His action proved His care for them. He rebuked the wind and immediately the sea calmed. That night, Jesus exploded the disciples’ understanding of who He was.
Jesus is able to calm every storm you encounter. But until the wind calms, let’s keep our focus on Him.
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. -- Mark 4:39
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5. Your Deliverer Breaks Chains (Acts 16:25-34)
Jesus literally broke Paul and Silas out of prison in Philippi. Picture the scene. It was midnight in the dungeon. The two missionaries, bound with chains, were “praying and singing hymns to God” when God used an earthquake to break the chains and open the doors. Through this dramatic event, God saved an entire family and brought glory to Himself.
You don’t have to be locked in physical bonds to be suffering in bondage. Many different kinds of “chains” fill this life – emotional, mental, and spiritual. But no bond is so strong that Jesus cannot break it for you.
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” -- Acts 16:31
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6. Your Deliverer Overcomes Trials and Temptation (2 Peter 2:4-10)
Evil surrounds us in this world. Evil has been running amuck since Eve visited a certain tree in the Garden of Eden. Evil and the people who perpetrate it constantly threaten God’s people. The threat is physical. And the threat is spiritual.
In this life, you may encounter evil people who threaten to harm you. Evil people who tempt you to join them. But Jesus “knows how to rescue the godly from trials” (2 Peter 2:9).
Since human history began, Jesus has been in the business of overcoming trials and temptations in the lives of His people. He is more than able to overcome these in your life.
if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. -- 2 Peter 2:9
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7. Your Deliverer Strengthens in Persecutions (2 Timothy 3:10-13)
Persecution pushed Paul and Barnabas out of Antioch toward Iconium. Not long after, they also left Iconium – under the threat of stoning – only to endure a brutal stoning in the next town.
The Gospel message generates extreme responses. Some receive it with joy and others lash out with frank rejection, hate, and even physical persecution.
While you may not see much physical persecution today in America, believers in other parts of the world experience it daily.
You may face ridicule, rejection, or even cruelty because of your faith. Turn to Jesus, He will give you the strength you need not only to endure, but also to glorify Him in the midst of it.
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted -- 2 Timothy 3:12
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8. Your Deliverer Frees from Bondage to Sin (Galatians 5:1)
Sin was our master. We were sin’s slave. We had no power to break its hold on us. But then Jesus died and everything changed.
Our sin debt was paid. Jesus’ life redeemed us from slavery to sin. And when Jesus rose from the grave, sin and death lost their power forever. Everyone who has a saving relationship with Jesus has been set free from the power of sin.
Praise God! Sin is no longer your master.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. -- Galatians 5:1
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9. Your Deliverer Saves from Physical Danger (2 Corinthians 1:8-11)
While traveling in Asia, the apostle Paul faced circumstances so dangerous and severe, he believed there was no way of escape. He “despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8, ESV). Yet, when Paul felt hopeless, Jesus delivered him.
Jesus is able to reach into your most oppressive circumstances and rescue you, even from the very jaws of death. Be encouraged by Paul’s example and allow these experiences to foster your utter dependence on God.
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. -- 2 Corinthians 1:10
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10. Your Deliverer Erases Fear of Death (Hebrews 2:14-15)
Deliverers often must enter into danger to rescue those in trouble. Jesus, your ultimate Deliverer, left the glory of heaven and entered this broken world to save those who were perishing. He gave His life to save yours.
Because Jesus willingly took on this rescue mission, we no longer have to fear death. Those of us who belong to Him know where we will spend eternity.
Jesus is able to deliver you from all these things and more. However, let us also remember that God in His infinite wisdom and for His great purposes may choose to leave some things in our lives.
For instance, He uses trials and difficulties to refine and purify our faith. Yet Jesus will always deliver us.
Sometimes, He delivers us from circumstances never allowing them to enter our lives. Sometimes Jesus delivers us out of a circumstance, rescuing us out of it in this life. And other times, Jesus rescues us through and thoroughly bringing us to His side in glory.
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. – Hebrews 2:14-15
Whether Jesus delivers from, out of, or through, He always delivers. Glory, hallelujah, our Deliverer is mighty to save!
A former “cultural Christian,” Bible teacher and speaker Kathy Howard now lives an unshakeable faith for life and encourages women to stand firm on our rock-solid God. The author of eight books, Kathy has a Masters in Christian Education. She and her retired husband live outside the Dallas/Ft Worth area with their miscellaneous assortment of dogs. Find free discipleship resourceson her website, www.kathyhoward.org and connect with Kathy on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
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