God Saves

“Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord: that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die, that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord, and in Jerusalem his praise, when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.”

— Psalm 102:18-22ESV

Our worship is punctuated by the fact that God, for all his divinity and splendor, looked down on people suffering and stuck in bondage and set them free. This is what God does, and we get to see him in this way today.

We set our attention on the Lord as the deliverer and redeemer. He did not look down and turn away from us. When he saw our affliction, his heart moved him, and he intervened.

Of course, the psalmist could not have known in an earthly sense that these words would call forward to the coming of Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate expression of God's heart to step down from heaven to set the prisoners free. On the cross, he condemned death and broke the power of sin forever. His sacrifice was our freedom. It just shows us that God is the same and never changes. When God intervened in the Old Testament, it was a foreshadowing of what the Son would do in the coming generations.

Now the work of the Son is continued to us. We are recipients of God’s delivering grace. In our need, he provides. In our brokenness, he is our healer. In our oppression, he is our deliverer.

I dare you to read this verse and let it confront your unbelief. I challenge you to see what the psalmist is writing today. Will you see God this way? As a holy a righteous redeemer? He does not look away from suffering. He sets the prisoners free to become eternal worshippers.

• Sign up for Abiding Daily text messages.

  Abiding happens daily in his presence. Abiding Daily is a simple and practical reminder to stay connected to the vine. Each prompt is inspired by the scriptures and designed to point you toward prayer and encounter. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To get the Daily Invitation sent to you every day click this link or text “Daily” to +1 (779) 237-3914.

• Order a copy of Abiding Daily: Volume One – Our first devotional book.

  Our first devotional book is available on our online store! Abiding Daily: Volume One is a devotional book including 120 prompts from the Daily Invitation. This book is designed to help believers connect with God through the word and discover more of what it means to abide in Christ. Click here to learn more.