Sal-va-tion

“May the Lord be praised!  Day after day He bears our burdens; God is our salvation.  Our God is a God of salvation, and escape from death belongs to the Lord God.” (Psalm 68:19-20)

“On that day you will say: ‘I will praise You, Lord, although You were angry with me.  Your anger has turned away, and You have had compassion for me.  Indeed, God is my salvation: I will trust Him and not be afraid, for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and my song.  He has become my salvation’” (Isaiah 12:1-2)

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’  Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30)

            “So, what does sal-va-tion mean?”  A child might ask that question, and come to think of it, a lot of adults might want to listen in on the answer.

            People hear the word “salvation,” and various images come to mind.  Some envision a Billy Graham crusade with thousands streaming down the aisles.  Some may see a tent meeting with energetic preaching and folks being “saved.”  Some may see a businessman in a hotel room reading a Gideon Bible and then praying to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

            The whole concept of salvation is fascinating.

            In the Old Testament, the word salvation was often the same as “rescue.”  Most of the time, when people were praying for salvation or thinking about it, they were looking for a rescue, a deliverance from dire circumstances that threatened them or their family.  They were looking for some concrete action from God that would save them.

            In the New Testament, the cross of Jesus was that concrete action.  The dire circumstances people faced was their sin and its consequences – hell.  The concept in the New Testament was more of a spiritual deliverance, and the nature of that salvation was a personal relationship with God, established by a personal faith decision in Jesus Christ.  We should understand, though, that this was still a “rescue.”

            So, what does salvation mean to you, and what does God want you to do to express the results of your salvation?

Lord, We give thanks that You have delivered us from the power and penalty of sin, so that we might live eternally with You.  Amen.