"Salvation Belongeth Unto The Lord"
1. Salvation In The Psalms
I am reading through the book of Psalms, and maybe because we ended our last devotional about salvation, or maybe the Lord was just speaking to me, I noticed several of the Psalms speak of the salvation of the Lord. It looks like 63 of the Psalms have the word "salvation" in them. Many of these verses may be speaking of being saved from their enemies, so I understand that they are not all about the gift of salvation we have through Jesus Christ, but they are all pointing to the God of our salvation. Let's look at some of these salvation Psalms, beginning with the first mention, Psalm 3:8.
"Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah."
2. Salvation Belongs To The Lord
David fought against many enemies. As a shepherd boy, he fought a lion and a bear. He fought the giant Goliath and won through the power of his God. "Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." (I Samuel 17:45) The Bible tells us of many battles he fought, but I think the hardest would have been his battle against his own son, Absalom. He wrote Psalm 3 when he fled from Absalom. Just as he believed God would give him victory over the giant those many years before, he was still trusting in his God for his salvation. As Christians we are fighting spiritual battles today. If we are trusting Him with the salvation of our soul, surely we can trust Him in our daily battles. Say with David, "Salvation belongeth unto the LORD!"
"1 <<A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.>> LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah." (Psalm 3)
3. Salvation Is Through Jesus Christ
We will get back to the Psalms, but first, we need to establish that there is no other salvation than through Jesus Christ. And the only way to have eternal life in heaven is by believing on Jesus, confessing your sin to Him in prayer, and putting your trust in Him to save you. There are no other gods who can save you. Jesus is the only way! "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) This is the most important thing you will ever need to know. Jesus is the only way to heaven!
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:10-12)
The next important thing you need to know is that if you have not believed in Jesus and trusted Him to save you, then you are lost. It is not that you will be lost, but you are already lost. God loves you and sent His Son to die for you. God is also a righteous and holy God. The only way we can go to heaven and be with God is by trusting in Jesus. He will forgive us of our sin and impart His righteousness to us. Do you know that you are saved by faith in Jesus?
"16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18)
4. Restore The Joy Of Thy Salvation
I get discouraged at the sin in the world today. I have read the Bible and I know that I am safe and secure in the hands of my Lord, but I also know that perilous times will come in the last days. And I believe that we are getting nearer to the time of the Lord's return. During these times of discouragement I like to pray the prayer of King David. "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." (Psalm 51:12) Only God can restore our peace and joy during troubled times. God alone can lift us up when we are feeling down.
Read the little book of Habakkuk. God told them they would not believe how bad it was going to be when the Chaldeans came against them.
"5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.
7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves:" (Habakkuk 1:5-8)
But Habakkuk still rejoiced in the Lord. He knew that bad times were going to get worse, but he was still able to say, "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
"16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments." (Habakkuk 3:16-19)
5. The Rock Of My Salvation
There was a small hotel at the marina, at the beach, where we used to enjoy staying. The rooms were small, but we spent most of our time outside. I think it was mainly used by people who stayed out on their boats most of the time, so it wasn't crowded. Michael teaches school and the last few years he has not worked at a job during the summer months. So, when we would get up and see that the weather was going to be nice for a couple of days, he would call and make us a reservation and in around four hours we would be at the beach. We would stay for two or three days and have a really nice little mini vacation. It was great! A few years ago we called to ask for a room and didn't get an answer. After some research I found that a hurricane had washed out the foundation of the hotel and it had to be torn down. Many times houses along the beach suffer damage during storms and often they can be repaired. But, when the foundation is washed out, I don't know anything that can be done to repair and secure the building. Read what Jesus said in Luke 6:46-49.
"46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great."
I am glad to know that when we accept the gift of salvation from Jesus, He is the Rock of our salvation. He is our solid foundation and can never be shaken. We will go through the storms of life, but we are safe and secure in Jesus! "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation." (Psalm 95:1) "He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved." (Psalm 62:6)
6. The Lord Is My Light And My Salvation
The first thing that God created was light. We learn this from Genesis 1:3. God created light and divided the light from the darkness. We also see this in the book of John.
"1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:1-5)
Just as we tell children not to be afraid of the dark, the Lord gives us light so that we don't have to fear. Our salvation Psalm today is Psalm 27:1. "<<A Psalm of David.>> The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" It seems as though many in this world are trying to cause us to live in fear. But, I am so thankful that we have the Light and we don't have to be afraid. If you feel like you are living in the darkness of this world, look towards the Light. There are two peace lilies at the front of our church, one on each side. They are both leaning towards the center, because they are looking towards the light from the large stained glass window. Even the plants in God's creation look towards the light. If we look to Jesus, the Light of the world, we won't have to live in darkness. "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." (John 12:46)
7. God Leads Us And Teaches Us
I was brought up in church and taught what was right by Christian parents. I remember hearing my Grandpa Moyer Beasley preaching about the rich man and Lazarus when I was around 8 years old. The Holy Spirit showed me that I was lost and spoke to my heart. I started crying during the service and my grandma took me out to the parking lot and explained to me how to get saved. I may have gone down to the altar after we went back into the church, but I think God saved me in the church parking lot. I knew some Bible stories but this is the first I remember being under conviction to be saved. Some people know a little of what the Bible teaches, and some may know a lot of the Bible when they ask the Lord to save them. There are some who don't know any Bible at all. I once heard a missionary who said the people where he was had never heard the Bible and they were eager to hear, and learn, and many got saved. My point today is, you don't have to know how to live like a Christian to be saved. If you believe that you are lost, and that Jesus, the Son of God, came from heaven and died on the cross to pay for your sin, then you can ask Him to forgive you and He will save you. You don't have to know a lot of Bible verses. You don't have to memorize a prayer. All you have to do is believe and have faith to trust in Jesus. He will save you and then the Holy Spirit will teach you how to live. God wants to lead us and show us the way to live so that we can live our life to glorify His Son. "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." (Psalm 25:4-5)
8. Share The Good News Of Your Salvation
When someone does something for me, it makes me want to do something for them. Jesus gave His life so that I could live eternally and that makes me want to live for Him. There are several verses in the Psalms that tell us to share the good news of our salvation with others. There are so many ways we can tells others that, "Jesus Saves!" We can magnify the Lord out loud, so that others can hear the words we speak. We can hand out tracts to help spread God's Word. We have phones, and the internet which gives us a greater means than any other generation before us. Before Jesus was received back to heaven He left this message for us. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) Are you sharing the good news? We don't know how much longer we have on earth, so the Psalmist encourages us to tell of our salvation "all the day." "My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof." (Psalm 71:15)
"I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified." (Psalm 40:10 & 16)
9. What Are We Doing To Lead Others To Salvation?
Yesterday, as I worked to trim the brown ends off the leaves of the peace lilies I remembered a sad time in my life. Years ago when I worked in an office, the plant lady came every week or two and trimmed the peace lilies, and watered the plants. She came early in the mornings and never talked while she worked, but went about quietly while we worked at our desks. I felt like the Lord wanted me to witness to her, and for a few weeks I talked to her about going to church. It was February and I gave her a small Valentine and told her that God loved her and invited her to read my devotionals online. I tried to work into a conversation about Jesus, but I never asked her if she knew Jesus as her Savior. One morning a man came to take care of the plants. His wife had died, and he was there to take her place. I have often thought of the plant lady with regrets. I didn't do all I could to tell her about Jesus. Hebrews 11:7 tells us that Noah built an ark to save his family. "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." We also read in II Peter 2:5 that Noah was "a preacher of righteousness." "And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him." (Genesis 7:5) Noah did all he could to save his household and when the flood came, they were the only ones who believed, and were saved. What are we doing to lead others to the saving knowledge of Jesus?
10. Almost Saved Is Still Lost
The Apostle Paul was taken before King Agrippa, and he used it as an opportunity to witness to the king. He told how God had saved him and how he had been a witness, to the Jews and Gentiles. He then asked, "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest." And the king replied with the heartbreaking words, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Paul knew that the king believed the prophets, but we have no further indication that he ever believed in Jesus as his Savior. There are probably people living today who believe the stories in the Bible, and they may be almost persuaded to believe in Jesus as their Savior. But, almost saved is still lost. Some can quote John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" without looking ahead to John 3:18. "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Almost saved is still lost.
"18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." (Acts 26:18-28)
11. Today Is The Day Of Salvation
We may get discouraged when we try to tell others about Jesus and they don't seem to want to accept God's gift of salvation. I am sure that the Apostle Paul got discouraged, too. Here is another example of someone who heard Paul, but yet did not see the urgency to be saved.
"24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound." (Acts 24:24-27)
Felix trembled, which seems to indicate that he was moved by the Holy Spirit, but he wanted to wait. He met with Paul several times over the next two years, and we are not told that he ever found his convenient season. If you feel the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart, please don't wait. Don't say that you will get saved tomorrow. "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." (Proverbs 27:1) We are not promised tomorrow. The Bible tells us that "now is the day of salvation." The Lord may come today, and then tomorrow will be too late.
"For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:" (Psalm 95:7-8)
"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)" (II Corinthians 6:2)
12. Death Bed Salvation
There are many, many stories of people who got saved in the Bible. When Jonah finally made it to Nineveh the entire city repented and turned to God. About three thousand were saved when Peter preached.
"38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:38-41)
With all these examples, and more, I only know of one instance where a person was saved as he was dying. The man on the cross beside Jesus was saved just before he died.
"38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:38-43)
King Agrippa said, "Almost" and Felix wanted to wait for a convenient season and we don't know that either of these men was saved before death. When the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart with conviction, don't wait. Not many get the chance to be saved when they are nearing death.
13. Jesus Came Because We Needed Salvation
You may be familiar with the time in the Bible when Jesus met the woman at the well. First, in John 4:9 we see that the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. "Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans." Now, after looking at this verse, let's back up to the first verse in this story. "And he must needs go through Samaria." (John 4:4) Jesus needed to go through Samaria to meet the woman at the well. She believed on Jesus, and because of her faith, many more in the city were saved. Jesus went to the well of Samaria at just the right time so that she would be saved. Jesus came to die on the cross, because I needed a Savior. He died for you, because you needed a Savior. There may be someone you know that needs to know Jesus and you may be just the right person to testify of what He has done for you. Pray and ask the Lord to show you someone who needs Jesus, and be that someone to tell them that Jesus saves.
"39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
41 And many more believed because of his own word;
42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." (John 4:39-42)
14. Jesus Saves Us From Our Sins
When I looked for a verse to show that salvation means Jesus saves us from our sins, I found so many that I want to share some of them with you today. Praise the Lord, I don't have to worry about my sins any more!
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8:12)
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
"He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19)
"For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:11-12)
"For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." (Hebrews 9:26)
"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." (I John 3:5)
15. Praise The Lord For His Salvation!
Our friends and family may not always give us forgiveness. Sometimes we may even find it hard to forgive ourselves. But, as God's Word promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9) If forgiveness from our sin was all that we received from the gift of salvation, (and we have so much more), then that would be enough to praise the Lord forever! And we will praise Him throughout eternity, so let's begin now.
"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation." (Psalm 95:1)
"Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day." (Psalm 96:2)
"The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation." (Psalm 118:14)
"I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation." (Psalm 118:21)
"And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." (Revelation 19:5-6)
