Index:
- Mighty To Save - Part 1
- Mighty To Save - Part 2
- Mighty To Save - Part 3
- El Gibbor-Mighty God - related
"Multum in parro" (much in little)! In Isaiah 63:1-6+ we read a description of the triumphant Second Coming of Jesus, where He declares "It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” Here even in the midst of judgment, when He comes "with power and great glory" (Mt 24:30+), He desires for men to know that He is not only mighty to judge, but mighty to save. Isaiah's description is amplified by the apostle John in Revelation 19:11-16+ which concludes with those glorious words that the One mighty to save is "King of kings and Lord of lords." (Rev 19:16+)
Spurgeon describes the words "mighty to save" as "multim in parro." He has been made like His brethren so that can be to us all we need. And what is our great need? need a High Priest intercede for compassionately continuously. merciful faithful fulfill both of these needs on behalf brethren. one might say then Christ "mercy full"! The idea possess compassionate heart leading Him carry out acts mercy, purpose which relieve suffering misery spiritual offspring Abraham, objects Beloved's infinite compassion. : indeed, here is all mercy in one word. Christ is not only “mighty to save” those who repent, but He is able to make men repent (Ro 2:4-note , Acts 11:18, 2Ti 2:25-note). He will carry those to heaven who believe; but He is, moreover, mighty to give men new hearts and to work faith in them (Ezek 18:31, Ezek 36:26-note ). He is mighty to make the man who hates holiness love it, and to constrain the despiser of His name to bend the knee before Him (Php 2:9-11-note)."
" Nay, this is not all the meaning of "mighty to save," for the divine power is equally seen in the after-work. The life of a believer is a series of miracles wrought by “the Mighty God.” The bush burns, but is not consumed (Ex 3:2). He is mighty to keep His people holy after He has made them so (1Pe 1:5-note , Jude 24), and to preserve them in His (reverential) fear and love until He consummates their spiritual existence in heaven (cf Php 3:20-21-note Christ’s might does not lie in making us a believer and then leaving us to transform ourselves, but He who begins the good work carries it on (Php 1:6-note , 2Cor 3:18-note , Ro 12:2-note ); He who imparts the first germ of life in the dead soul, prolongs the divine existence, and strengthens it until it bursts asunder every bond of sin, and the soul leaps from earth, perfected in glory (Ro 8:30-note ). Believer, here is encouragement. Are you praying for some beloved one? Oh, do not give up your prayers, for Christ is “mighty to save.” You are powerless to reclaim the rebel, but your Lord is Almighty (El Shaddai - Ge 17:1). Lay hold on that mighty arm, and rouse it to put forth its strength. Does your own case trouble you? Fear not, for His strength is sufficient for you (2Cor 12:9-note , 2Cor 12:10-note ). Whether to begin with others, or to carry on the work in you, Jesus is “mighty to save;” the best proof of which lies in the fact that he has saved you! What a thousand mercies that you have not found Him mighty to destroy!"
Since His blood for thee was shed,
Jesus is mighty to save;
Since He lives Who once was dead,
Jesus is mighty to save.
While in conflict we engage,
When the storms around shall rage,
All our earthly pilgrimage,
Jesus is mighty, is mighty to save."
Amen (Coller)
Play one of my favorites Laura Story - Mighty to Save
You are mighty to save.
Forever, Author of Salvation,
You rose and conquered the grave,
Yes, you conquered the grave.
In Isaiah 63:1-note the Messiah describes Himself as "MIGHTY to save." How MIGHTY TO SAVE is our precious Jesus? Isaiah says His Name is "MIGHTY God" (El Gibbor) and "He will not fail, falter, stop or be disheartened nor will He be discouraged until He establishes justice on the earth." (Isa 9:6-note, Isa 42:4-note) The MIGHTY One Himself asks (rhetorically) "Is anything too difficult for" Me? (Ge 18:14-note) Jeremiah answers "Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! (cf Heb 1:2-3-note, Rev 4:11-note) NOTHING is too difficult for You!" (Jer 32:17, 27, cf Ge 18:14, Job 42:2, Lk 1:37) "The MIGHTY One, God, Jehovah (Jesus), has spoken, and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting." (Ps 50:1-note, cf Heb 11:3-note, Col 1:16-note) "Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and MIGHTY, the LORD MIGHTY in battle." (Ps 24:8-note) As C H Spurgeon affirms "We know the MIGHT of Jesus by the battles which He has fought, the victories which He has won over sin and death and hell, and we clap our hands as we see Him leading captivity captive in the majesty of His strength. Oh for a heart to sing His praises! MIGHTY Hero, be Thou crowned forever King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen (Rev 19:16-note)." Indeed Jesus declares "My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together." (Isa 48:13-note) Therefore Spirit enable us to daily remember that Jesus is MIGHTY TO SAVE, even (especially) from "the sin which so easily entangles" us (Heb 12:1-note)! "Jesus, MIGHTY to renew, Work in me to will and do; Turn my nature's rapid tide; Stem the torrent of my pride. Force me, Lord, with all to part; Tear these idols from my heart." "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for ALL things are possible with God," (Mk 10:27), the One MIGHTY TO SAVE. "Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? (Jesus, mighty to save. Jn 1:1-3) He Who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His GREAT POWER and MIGHTY STRENGTH, not one of them is missing." (Isa 40:26-note). He is the One Who is MIGHTY TO SAVE for "He holds ALL creation together," "sustaining ALL things by His powerful Word." (Col 1:17-note, Heb 1:3-note)
Though as scarlet be the stains,
Jesus is MIGHTY TO SAVE;
Though as steel the binding chains,
Jesus is MIGHTY TO SAVE.
His the glorious sacrifice;
His the blood which paid the price;
His the love doth now entice;
Jesus is MIGHTY, is MIGHTY TO SAVE.
Fearful soul, discard thy fears,
Jesus is MIGHTY TO SAVE;
Seeker, haste to dry thy tears,
Jesus is MIGHTY TO SAVE.
With assurance seek His face,
Doubt no more His love and grace,
Give Him now His rightful place,
Jesus is MIGHTY, is MIGHTY TO SAVE.
Dear reader, what today is "too difficult" for you? In faith, "take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ," (2Cor 10:5-note) the only One Who is MIGHTY TO SAVE you in, through or from whatever difficult circumstance, person, thought, memory, etc you find yourself today. "Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, HE IS ABLE to come (running) to the aid of those who are continually being tempted (or tested)." (Heb 2:18-note) Remember that "Jesus Christ is not only a powerful Savior, but a sympathizing Savior. He is not only the Son of God MIGHTY TO SAVE, but the Son of man ABLE TO FEEL." (Ryle) "Jesus is MIGHTY TO SAVE because He is God as well as Man." (Spurgeon) His tender heart is soft to pity and His mighty arm is strong to deliver. Indeed, He Alone "is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to make intercession for them." (Heb 7:25-note, cp Ro 8:34-note) The One MIGHTY TO SAVE is able to lift us out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire and set our feet on the Solid Rock, making our steps secure. (Ps 40:2-note, cf Ps 18:16-17-note). In His strength we can crush an army, with Him at our side we can scale any wall. (Ps 18:29-note, cf 2Cor 12:9-note) We are from God, little children, and have overcome people and circumstances, and indeed every obstacle which opposes Jesus, because greater is He Who is in us than he who is in the world. (1Jn 4:4, cf Ro 8:31-note) Jesus is MIGHTY TO SAVE and is preparing us for eternity in heaven and will soon carry us there, in spite of every momentary adversity, trial or heartache we are now experiencing (cf 2Cor 4:17-18-note, Ro 8:18-note). "God’s providence and grace are both full of displays of His power. He is in power especially conspicuous as “MIGHTY TO SAVE.” Who will not be strong in faith when there is so strong an Arm to lean upon? Shall our trust be doubtful when His power is beyond all question?" (Spurgeon) So beloved, let each of us joyfully sing out in faith Fanny Crosby's great words -- "Praise our Creator and Savior eternal, Him Who redeemed us from death and the grave; Sing of His greatness, O hail and adore Him, Strong to deliver, and MIGHTY TO SAVE." Amen
Sing of His excellent greatness - Jesus is Mighty to Save. Hillsong's version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR8rlTIU8_Y
The LORD your God is with you (in your midst). He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.--Zephaniah 3:17NIV
Spurgeon writes that "there never was any poem composed by human intellect which could match for a moment, in the sweetness of its notes, the succession of precious promises which God here proclaims in the ears of His chosen ones!" O Palmer Robertson adds that Zephaniah 3:17 moves into "the “holy of holies” by a rapturous description of the love of God for His people. This verse is the John 3:16 of the OT. The love of God for His own people is not a soft, sentimental emotion that has no strength to act on behalf of its object. For this God Who loves is Yahweh...,"the "God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty and the awesome God." (Dt 10:17). That Almighty God should derive delight from his own creation is significant in itself. But that the Holy One should experience ecstasy over the sinner is incomprehensible. God breaking out in singing! God joyful with delight! All because of you!" Surely we have to say with the psalmist
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.
It is too high. I cannot attain to it.(Ps 139:6-note)
And so while these words were originally addressed to Israel in a time of great distress (the future Day of the LORD's wrath poured out on the unbelieving world - see Zeph 3:8-note, cf Revelation 6-19), God's promises to Israel in the future are applicable in the present to every blood bought, heaven bound child of God. Perhaps you too are experiencing a day or even a season of adversity and distress which evokes a continual gnawing in your stomach from endless fear and wearisome worry. If so, I understand, for that is the season in which I find myself. In these times of great oppression with no end in sight, we need to recall Peter's words that our manifold trials (1Peter 1:6-note - manifold in Gk = poikilos = trials of various "shapes and sizes") are always accompanied by God's "manifold grace" (again poikilos = grace just the "right shape and size")" (1Peter 4:10-note). So let us read Jehovah's precious promises as personally addressed to us! Indeed, though we may be downcast and in despair because of our trials, in faith like the psalmist we can "Put our hope in God and again praise Him for the help of His presence" (Ps 42:5-note), confidently declaring that
The LORD MY God is in MY midst.
He is the Mighty One Who will save ME.
He will take great delight in ME.
He will quiet ME with His love.
He will rejoice over ME with singing!
F B Meyer says "Well would it be if each Christian were to devote some portion, however brief, in each day, to meditation upon this marvelous fact. “The mighty God, the King, is in the midst of me. I am God-tenanted, God-possessed. The High and Holy One Who inhabits eternity (Isa 57:15KJV-note) has taken up His abode in my heart.” Indeed, God's people are at the heart of God's heart. As His people, He is ever in our midst and thus we live in His presence, always on holy ground. Everything we do is sacred. Everything we do should be designed for His glory.
C H Spurgeon remarks "What a word is this! Jehovah God in the center of His people in all the majesty of His power! This presence alone suffices to inspire us with peace and hope (cf Ro 15:13, Jn 16:33). Treasures of boundless might are stored in our Jehovah, and He dwells in His people (now = Col 1:27b-note, 1Cor 6:19-note, 1Jn 4:4, and forever = Rev 21:3-note). Therefore may His people shout for joy (Ps 32:11-note, Ps 71:23-note). We not only have His presence (Ps 95:2-note), but He is engaged upon His choice work of salvation. “He is MIGHTY TO SAVE.” He is always saving: He takes His Name Jesus from it (Yeshua ~ "Jehovah saves", Mt 1:21). Let us not fear any danger, for He is MIGHTY TO SAVE (Dt 31:8). Nor is this all. He abides evermore the same (Heb 13:8-note); He loves, He finds rest in loving, and He will not cease to love (Jer 31:3). His love gives Him joy. He even finds a theme for song in His beloved (1Th 1:4-note). This is exceedingly wonderful. When God wrought creation He did not sing, but simply said, “It is very good.” (Ge 1:31) But when He came to redemption, then the sacred Trinity felt a joy to be expressed in song. Think of it and be astonished! Jehovah Jesus sings a marriage song over His chosen bride (cf Rev 19:7-note, Isa 62:5), as a Bridegroom rejoices over his Bride. Beloved, we are to Him His love, His joy, His rest, His song. O Lord Jesus, by Thine immeasurable love to us (Eph 3:18-19-note), teach us to love Thee, to rejoice in Thee, and to sing unto Thee our Life-psalm." As Matthew Henry once said
The great God not only loves His saints, but He loves to love them!
Adrian Rogers tells a story of passengers on a ship in a severe storm and in danger of sinking. The passengers were whispering "Are we going down? Are we safe?" One passenger said, "I've got to find out," so he made his way topside across the heaving decks, to the pilot house, where the pilot of the ship had his hand firmly on the wheel. The pilot turned and saw the fear in the passenger's face and just smiled at him, not even speaking a word. On arriving below the once fearful passenger exclaimed "We're going be all right. I've seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled at me." What we need to do when we are crippled by fear caused by difficult circumstances or difficult people is look away from the "stormy waves" and into the serene face of our Jesus, the One Who is always MIGHTY TO SAVE (cf Heb 12:2-note Even in His moment of greatest surrender and weakness, Jesus remained mighty to save as He spoke these words the crucified thief dying at side - “Thou needest not wait till some distant time for help; now, all my apparent humiliation, am I save; today shalt thou be with me Paradise.” Luke 23
The strong arm of our Captain is MIGHTY TO SAVE;
Then trust Him today, no longer delay,
Board the old ship of Zion, and shout on your way:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout and sing on your way: Jesus saves!"
Amen
---M J Cartwright
Fanny Crosby recalls addressing a group in 1869 and throughout her talk "the thought kept forcing itself upon my mind that some mother’s boy must be rescued that very night or perhaps not at all. So I requested that if there was any boy present, who had wandered away from mother’s teaching, he would come to the platform at the conclusion of the service. A young man of 18 came forward and said, "Did you mean me? I have promised my mother to meet her in heaven; but, as I am now living, that will be impossible." We prayed for him and he arose with a new light in his eyes and exclaimed triumphantly, "Now, I can meet mother in heaven, for I have found her God." Stirred by this event Fanny went home that night and wrote these great words "Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave, Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen,[ Tell them of Jesus the MIGHTY TO SAVE." Some 35 years later she was speaking at a YMCA and described the incident that led her to write "Rescue the Perishing," after which a man came up and introduced himself, saying "Miss Crosby, I was the boy who told you more than thirty-five years ago that I had wandered from my mother’s God. The evening that you spoke at the mission I sought and found peace, and I have tried to live a consistent Christian life ever since." May Fanny Crosby's story that led her to pen the hymn "Rescue the Perishing" encourage us to pray for the lost and...
Tell them of Jesus the MIGHTY TO SAVE;
Plenteous salvation in Him does abound,
Cleansing and healing in Jesus are found.
(Entwisle)
When our world seems to be unraveling at the seams, we do well to recall that the One Mighty to rescue the perishing, is also MIGHTY TO SAVE us daily (sanctifying us by the enabling power of His Spirit - 1Pe 1:2-note, 1Th 5:23-note). In those days when we don't have a song in our heart, we need to meditate on the truth that the One MIGHTY TO SAVE is also the One Who "will rejoice over us with singing." Many of us cannot imagine that we could bring pleasure to the heart of God ("You don't know what I've done," "I have too much guilt and shame for God to rejoice over me," etc), but this text assures us that God definitely thinks differently. Spurgeon says "When your face is blurred with tears, your eyes red with weeping, and your heart heavy with sorrow for sin, the great Father is rejoicing over you. We are questioning, doubting, sorrowing, trembling, and all the while, He Who sees the end from the beginning knows what will come out of the present disquietude (anxiety, agitation, uneasiness), and therefore rejoices. Let us rise in faith to share the joy of God! Let no man's heart fail him because of the taunts of the enemy (cf Rev 12:10). Rather, let the chosen of God rouse themselves to courage, and participate in the that joy of God which never ceases. Shall we not rejoice in Him when He, in His boundless condescension, designs to rejoice in us?" O what a liberating truth!
John Piper encourages us to ponder this passage asking "Can you imagine what it would be like if you could hear God singing? Remember that it was merely a spoken word that brought the universe into existence (Heb 11:3-note, Jn 1:1-3). What would happen if God lifted up his voice and not only spoke but sang?...When I think of the voice of God singing, I hear the booming of Niagara Falls mingled with the trickle of a mossy mountain stream. I hear the blast of Mt. St. Helens mingled with a kitten's purr. I hear the power of an East Coast hurricane and the barely audible puff of a night snow in the woods. And I hear the unimaginable roar of the sun...but I hear this unimaginable roar mingled with the tender, warm crackling of the living room logs on a cozy winter's night. And when I hear this singing I stand dumbfounded, staggered, speechless that He is singing over ME! He is rejoicing over MY good with all HIS heart and with all HIS soul (cf. Jer 32:41, Dt 30:9)!"
A GOD Who is always near ME. A GOD Who is mighty to save ME. A GOD Who takes great delight in ME. A GOD Who quiets ME with His love. A GOD Who rejoices over ME with loud singing. It's hard to imagine, difficult to believe, but it is true! How do I know? Because the last words of Zephaniah's prophecy are "YAHWEH HAS SPOKEN." (Zeph 3:20HCSB-note) Beloved child of God, Jehovah the Self-existent One, the Unchangeable One, the Ever-living One has said it and He will do it! Amen!
Now He has triumphed o’er death and the grave,
He lives our Redeemer, and MIGHTY TO SAVE;
To Him Who exalted forever shall live,
All honor, dominion, and glory we give."
--Fanny Crosby
Play Fanny Crosby's powerful hymn Rescue The Perishing
May the Father grant you manifold opportunities to tell others that Jesus is Mighty to Save. Amen
Related Resources:
- Zephaniah 3:17 In Depth Commentary
- Zephaniah 3:17 The Savior Resting in His Love - C H Spurgeon
- Zephaniah 3:14, 17 Zion's Joys and God's - Alexander Maclaren
- Zephaniah 3:17 The Pleasure of God in the Good of His People - John Piper
Dear reader, these notes are just that...notes compiled from many sources, all of which in some way are related to the great Isaiah 63:1 affirmation by Jesus Himself that He is "Mighty to Save!" Some of the notes are related to Zephaniah 3:17. These notes are random and not meant to be a coherent composition.
The prophet Isaiah asks...
WHO is this who comes from Edom,
With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah,
This One who is majestic in His apparel,
Marching in the greatness of His strength?
“It is I Who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
Is 63:1
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."
There is a beautiful promise in Zephaniah given to Jews who will come to faith in the Messiah in the latter days, but it is also a promise applicable to saints of all ages. The prophet records that "The LORD your God is in your midst. He is MIGHTY (Gibbor) TO SAVE. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love (NLT = "With His love, He will calm all your fears."). He will rejoice over you with singing." (Zeph 3:17-note). Spurgeon remarks "What a word is this! Jehovah God in the center of His people in all the majesty of His power! This presence alone suffices to inspire us with peace and hope. Treasures of boundless might are stored in our MIGHTY GOD, and He dwells in the midst of His people; therefore may His people shout for joy. We not only have His presence, but He is engaged upon His choice work of salvation. “He is MIGHTY TO SAVE!” He is always saving: He takes His Name Jesus from it (Mt 1:21). Let us not fear any danger for He is MIGHTY TO SAVE. He even finds a theme for song in His beloved. This is exceedingly wonderful. When God wrought creation, the morning stars shouted for joy, but Jehovah did not sing, simply saying, “It is very good.” But when He came to redemption, then the sacred Trinity felt a joy to be expressed in song. Think of it and be astonished! Jehovah Jesus sings a marriage song over His chosen bride (Rev 19:7). She is to Him His love, His joy, His rest, His song. Oh, to think of it, that when all the chosen shall meet around the throne, the joy of the eternal Father shall swell so high, that God, Who fills all in all, shall burst out into an infinite godlike song! O Lord Jesus, by Thine immeasurable love to us, teach us to love Thee, to rejoice in Thee, and to sing unto Thee our Life-psalm (song)." Amen.
Spurgeon in Faith's Checkbook on Zeph 3:17 - The Reason for Singing - “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”—Zephaniah 3:17 WHAT a word is this! Jehovah God in the center of His people in all the majesty of His power! This presence alone suffices to inspire us with peace and hope. Treasures of boundless might are stored in our Jehovah, and He dwells in His church; therefore may His people shout for joy. We not only have His presence, but He is engaged upon His choice work of salvation. “He will save.” He is always saving: He takes His name of Jesus from it. Let us not fear any danger for He is mighty to save. Nor is this all. He abides evermore the same; He loves, He finds rest in loving, and He will not cease to love. His love gives Him joy. He even finds a theme for song in His beloved. This is exceedingly wonderful. When God wrought creation He did not sing, but simply said, “It is very good.” But when He came to redemption, then the sacred Trinity felt a joy to be expressed in song. Think of it and be astonished! Jehovah Jesus sings a marriage song over His chosen bride. She is to Him His love, His joy, His rest, His song. O Lord Jesus, by thine immeasurable love to us, teach us to love thee, to rejoice in thee, and to sing unto thee our Life-psalm.
An earthly friend comes to you in trial, he has never known bereavement, and therefore can not enter into your woe. Another comes; he has been again and again in the furnace; his heart has been touched tenderly as your own; he can feelingly sympathize with you. It is so with Jesus. As man, He has passed through every experience of suffering. He has Himself known the storm from which He offers you shelter. He is the ROCK, yet "a Man!" "Mighty to save;" yet mighty to compassionate! "Emmanuel, God with us!" He is like the rainbow in the material heavens, which, while its summit is in the clouds, each base of its arc rests on earth; or like the oak which, while it can wrestle with the tempest, yet invites the most feeble bird to fold its wing on its branches!
A Powerful Salvation
Because God is mighty to save, there is no case He is not able to cope with. The blood of Christ can make the vilest clean (Luke 1:68, 69; Romans 1:16).
"Why did'st thou look at wind and sea?
Have faith," said Christ, "and look to Me;
I'll take thy hand, I'm mighty to save,
Trust thou in Me; we will walk the wave,
Together, we'll conquer the sea."
The Salvation of the Lord (Ps 98:2) "The LORD hath made known His salvation; His righteousness hath He openly shewed in the sight of the heathen." Known! Shown! The heart of the matter, so far as this psalmist is concerned, is the salvation which God arranges for men. It is an amazing fact that God desires our salvation. We cannot produce that salvation, so he has provided it-fully, freely. Even the heathen are forced to admit that Israel's God is mighty to save.
The testimony of H. M. Stanley is very much to the point. In 1869, the New York Herald sent him out to Africa to find David Livingstone who, having won the heart of the world, had disappeared in the dark continent. Stanley plunged into the interior of Africa after him and eventually found him near Lake Tanganyika. He was the only other white man within hundreds upon hundreds of miles. Stanley's greeting has gone down in history as the most casual on record: "Dr. Livingstone, I presume." Livingstone refused to return to civilization with Stanley, so Stanley gave him some supplies and remained with him for about five months. Here is his testimony:
"In 1871 I went to him as prejudiced as the biggest atheist in London. To a reporter and correspondent such as I, who had only to deal with wars and mass meetings and political gatherings, sentimental matters were entirely out of my province. But there came for me a long time for reflection. I was out there away from a worldly world. I saw this solitary old man there, and asked myself, 'How on earth does he stop here-is he cracked, or what? What is it that inspires him?' For months after we met I simply found myself listening to him, wondering at the old man carrying out all that was said in the Bible: 'Leave all things and follow me.' But little by little his sympathy for others became contagious; my sympathy was aroused; seeing his piety, his gentleness, his zeal, his earnestness, and how he went quietly about his business, I was converted by him although he had not tried to do if (Dawn, December 16, 1929).
Known! Shown! That is what David Livingstone did for Stanley. By his words and actions he won a tough, hardened reporter to Christ and into a knowledge of the salvation that God, in His love and kindness, offers to all mankind. Like Israel of old, Stanley discovered that the Lord is mighty to save. The psalmist, then, begins with the Lord's might
Phillips, John, Psalms Commentary
Vance Havner tells the following story...Christ is my message. Some years ago, two boats were passing each other on the Mississippi, when an old [gentleman] said to a ... passenger as he pointed to the other boat, "Look, yonder's the captain!" When asked for an explanation, he said, "Years ago, we were goin' along like this and I fell overboard and the captain rescued me. And since then, I just loves to point him out!
James Smith - THE BLOOD OF JESUS. There is a plant called "adder's wort," because it is supposed to cure the bite of the serpent. The divine adder's wort is the blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanses from all sin—every bite of the old serpent the devil. Wort means plant. Jesus is the plant of renown. Mighty to save!
James Smith - The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. "Look unto Me and be ye saved... for I am God" (Isa. 45:22).
Pulpit Commentary - Many men continue to carry their guilt and yield to the impulses of a depraved nature because they forget or do not duly consider WHO stands by them mighty to save.
From the knowledge we have of Christ’s being mighty to save, we trust in Him entirely for salvation: as we trust in Him for it, so we trust in Him for all the blessings of it: we therefore go to Him for his bestowing these on us. - An Exposition of the First Epistle General of John, Comprised in Ninety-Three Sermons, Vol. 1 What is it dear reader from which you need to be saved, but in which you doubt that He is mighty to save?
All the Divine Names and Titles of the Bible - Lockyer- the titles preceding "The Mighty God" (in Isa 7:14)and following it, seem to have the same suggestion of Deity. The natural meaning of the words is that the One the prophet predicted is Mighty God, and nothing less; that the One born for our salvation would be mighty with the might of God. All who have proved Him to be the only One, mighty to save and strong to deliver are looking for His glorious appearing as their "Great God and Saviour" (Titus 2:13). He was "The Mighty One of Israel"—"The Mighty One of Jacob"—"The One, Mighty to save" (Isaiah 30:29; 49:26; 63:1)
“Jesus,” i.e. “the Help or Salvation of Jehovah.” David’s Son and David’s Lord is “mighty to save;” in him the Lord has indeed “laid help upon One who is mighty.” - The Pulpit Commentary
Cross-references on Mighty - Ge 17:1 Ge 18:14 Ps 24:8-10 Isa 9:6 Isa 12:2,6 Isa 63:12 Heb 7:25
God is seen to be mighty to save, tender in mercies, gentle in loving kindnesses, nigh to save, and rich in mercy unto all that call upon Him - John Stock
Mt 19:26. But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Jesus beheld them. He looked on them with pity and with love, and told them that God could do that which, apart from him, would never come to pass. To enter the kingdom is impossible to man unaided: one sin or another blocks the way. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches are a sadly effective barrier to the soul when it attempts to enter the city of holiness; but God can cause those barriers to yield, and enable the soul to enter by the narrow way. He is mighty to save. With God all things are possible. What a joyful truth for the writer and the reader! Our salvation, when we view our own weakness and the power of sin, is impossible with men. Only when we turn to God and his grace, does salvation range among the possibilities. The rich man is set by our Lord, not at the head, but at the foot of the line of aspirants for the kingdom. Lord, my hope of being found in thy kingdom lies in thy power, and grace, and not in my possessions!
Ps 71:20 Thou, who hast shown me many troubles and distresses, Wilt revive me again, And wilt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. - However low the Lord may permit us to sink, he will fix a limit to the descent, and in due time will bring us up again. Even when we are laid low in the tomb, the mercy is that we can go no lower, but will retrace our steps and mount to better lands; and all this because the Lord is ever mighty to save.
Mighty to Save
Gordon Thompson
I have a Redeemer Who saves me from sin;
Now He’s abiding forever within,
His life for my ransom so freely He gave—
’Tis Jesus my Savior, mighty to save.
Refrain
Mighty to save! He’s mighty to save,
Yes! Jesus my Savior is mighty to save!
Sin’s old allurements no longer I crave;
Jesus allures me, mighty to save.
J Howard Entwisle
Tell them of Jesus who rose from the grave,
Tell them of Jesus the Mighty to Save;
Plenteous salvation in Him does abound,
Cleansing and healing in Jesus are found.
Fanny Crosby
But now He has triumphed o’er death and the grave,
He lives our Redeemer, and mighty to save;
To Him who exalted forever shall live,
All honor, dominion, and glory we give.
Zephaniah 3:17NIV
The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."
“Mighty to save” (gibbôr yôšîa; [gibbor yasah'] cf. Jer 14:9) is an expression in Hebrew that can be understood in an active verbal sense—“a warrior who will keep you safe” (REB); “a warrior who gives victory” (NRSV); “a warrior who brings triumph” (TNK); “a hero who saves” (GWT); “his power gives you victory” (TEV)—or as a noun with a modifier—“victorious warrior (NASB, JB); “mighty savior” (NAB, NLT). Isaiah 10:21 mentions the remnant that will return to the “mighty God.” The word gibbôr often refers to a warrior who is going out against the enemy (Isa 42:13) - The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Daniel–Malachi Revised Edition
Morris - with singing. Except for the time when Jesus sang a hymn with His disciples at the last supper (Matthew 26:30), this is the only place in the Bible where we read of God actually singing. This beautiful verse also reveals Him as a mighty God, a saving God, a loving God, a rejoicing God and a resting God. The great millennial kingdom age will be a time of joy and singing and a time of resting, even for God.
Scofield - Dt 30:9; Isa 62:5; 65:19; Jer 32:41 - A love too great for words. For the LORD's own, His final word is not of anger, as with the unbelieving nations, but of love, as expressed in this beautiful verse. When it comes to His people, chastised and forgiven, the LORD rests His case in love and rejoicing.
My Notes: As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride (cf. Isa 62:4), the Lord will exult over His people with gladness and song, resting in quiet ecstasy over His people in whom is all His delight (cf. Dt 30:9; Isa 54). This is a love too great for words. Except for the time when Jesus sang a hymn with His disciples at the last supper (Mt 26:30), this is the only place in the Bible where we read of God actually singing. This beautiful verse also reveals Him as a mighty God, a saving God, a loving God, a rejoicing God and a resting God. The great millennial kingdom age will be a time of joy and singing and a time of resting.
"At last he yielded up his life, and was buried in the tomb. Not long, however, did he sleep; for he gave another proof of his divine power and godhead, when starting from his slumber, he affrighted the guards with the majesty of his grandeur, not being held by the bonds of death, they being like green twigs before our conquering Samson, who had meanwhile pulled up the gates of hell, and carried them on his shoulders far away." (CHS) The very same power of God is mighty to save believers through the gospel (Romans 1:16), is at work within them (Ephesians 1:19) and can enable them to fight the good fight of the faith against all evil powers (Ephesians 6:10–13).
Our Jesus is loving and gentle, but let’s never forget His strength. He is the Lamb of sacrifice, but He is also the Lamb that conquers the power of sin and death. Every knee shall bow to the Victor. He is mighty in battle and mighty to save. His shoulders are strong enough to carry the weight of all the sins of the world. (Zschech, Darlene)
In contrast to sinful and helpless man, the Savior must be sinless and mighty to save in order to keep His people from stumbling and to present them before the throne of His glory without any spot or taint of sin (Jude 24). God is mighty to save and equally mighty to preserve.
God is mighty to save from the "guttermost" to the uttermost (Heb 7:25KJV = Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. NAS = Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.)
The 3 Jewish boys experienced the One Who is mighty to save - "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king." (Da 3:17) And again in Da 6:20GWT = As he came near the den where Daniel was, the king called to Daniel with anguish in his voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God! Was God, whom you always worship, able to save you from the lions?" The question in each of the synoptic Gospels is "And those who heard, said, 'And who is able to be saved?'" (Lk 18:26, Mk 10:26, Mt 19:25) Answer: No one! No one is able to save themselves! But praise God there is One Who is mighty to save!
James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?
Mt 19:25 And when the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved (able to be saved)?" 26 And looking upon them Jesus said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (cf Mk 10:26, Lk 18:26)
Our Lord’s power should encourage all to come to Him. Nothing has ever baffled Him. Stormy winds and raging waves obey Him; the very devils flee before Him. Come along. He is mighty to save; therefore come and hang the whole weight of your souls upon Him.
Even in His moment of greatest surrender and weakness, Jesus remained mighty to save as He spoke these words to the crucified thief dying at His side - “Thou needest not wait till some distant time for help; even now, in all my apparent humiliation, am I mighty to save; today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” Luke 2339 And one of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!"
40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41 "And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."
42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!"
43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."
44 And it was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour,
Adrian Rogers - The title of our message today is Rescue the Perishing. Rescue the Perishing. Care for the dying. Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave. Weep for our erring one. Lift up the fallen one. Tell them of Jesus, the Mighty to Save....Francis Schaffer said "Perhaps the ugliest thing in the world is orthodoxy without compassion." Orthodoxy without compassion. Without caring for the lost. I remember a preacher telling a story. He said that in his study, or in the study of a particular pastor, there was a painting. That painting was a painting of a ship that was sinking, and the ship had already gone down. The lifeboats were out on the water. And the people were in the water. And this particular lifeboat that was painted had a man leaning over the railing of the lifeboat, and he's extending his hand to one of the people in the water, swimming around. And the man in the water is lifting his hand up. And there hands are about to meet. And the little boy who had not yet started school came in and he looked at that picture. Of course the picture was to illustrate to rescue the perishing and care for the dying. And the little boy studied that picture and looked at it for a while. And then he asked his daddy this question. He said, "Daddy, is that man trying to save those people or is he just shaking hands with them?" Every preacher just ought to ask himself that question. And every Christian who comes to church on Sunday morning and greets those round about him who may not know the Lord Jesus ought to ask that question. Are we really endeavoring to bring people to Jesus Christ?
Spurgeon quote - We say again, that we have proof positive in cases even here before us, that Christ is mighty to save even the worst of men—to turn them from follies in which they have too long indulged, and we believe that the same gospel preached elsewhere would produce the same results. The best proof you can ever have of God’s being mighty to save, dear hearers, is that he saved you.
Spurgeon - He is always saving: He takes His name of Jesus from it. Let us not fear any danger for He is mighty to save.
rav l’hoshia = mighty to save
Rosh HaShanah Music - Melech Ozair...
You are the Mighty One, forever O Lord; You are the Mighty One, forever O Lord. You raise the dead, sleeping in their graves, You are mighty to save. You raise the dead, sleeping in their graves, You are mighty to save. (From the book - God's appointed times: a practical guide for understanding and celebrating the Biblical holidays)
Short post with allusion to Fanny Crosby's great hymn "Rescue the Perishing" - "HELP LORD" - These are the first words of David's brief but pithy, powerful prayer in Psalm 12:1. The Hebrew for HELP is YASHA' = to save or deliver. The Greek (Lxx) translates YASHA' with the verb SOZO = to RESCUE one from peril, danger or suffering, to protect from loss or destruction, to heal, to make whole, to keep alive, to preserve life. Beloved are we not all in need of His HELP (yasha', sozo) every moment of every day, for our mortal enemies the world, the flesh & the devil continually seek to cause us to stumble, waging war against our souls (1Pe 2:11). Indeed, may the Spirit imprint David's short prayer "HELP LORD" upon our hearts so that it may continually be upon our lips! Father, thank You for providing HELP, for rescuing our perishing souls by sending Jesus our Savior & Redeemer Who once for all paid the price in full proclaiming release to the captives & requesting that You send us the HELPER, the Spirit of Christ to indwell us forever & enable us to "save others, snatching them out of the fire." Amen (Heb 10:10, Jn 19:30, Lk 4:18, Jn 14:16, Jude 23) LISTEN to "Rescue the Perishing" & CLICK LINK for Spurgeon's comments on "HELP LORD".
O you of fearful heart! why these anxious doubts, why these tormenting fears, why this shrinking from the thought of death, why these distant, hard, and unkind thoughts of God? Why this prison-house- why this chain? You are not perfected in the love of Jesus, for "perfect love casts out fear:" you are not perfected in that great truth, that Jesus is mighty to save, that He died for a poor sinner, that His death was a perfect satisfaction to Divine justice; and that without a single meritorious work of your own, just as you are, poor, empty, vile, worthless, unworthy, you are welcome to the rich provision of sovereign grace and dying love. The simple belief of this, will perfect your heart in love; and perfected in love, every bondage-fear will vanish away. Oh, seek to be perfected in Christ's love. It is a fathomless ocean, its breadth no mind can scan- its height no thought can scale. - Octavius Winslow. Daily Walking with God.
The disinfectant of Christ's Presence is ever warding off the germs of deadly temptation. The mighty arm of the Divine Keeper is always holding the door against the attempts of the adversary. The water is always flowing over the eye to remove the tiny grit or mote that may alight.
A W Tozer said "The world lives in such a time of crisis. Christians alone are in a position to rescue the perishing. We dare not settle down to try to live as if things were normal.”—from Born After Midnight
May our hearts break for what breaks our Father's heart and may His Spirit so fill us that His Good News "becomes like a burning fire" (Jer 20:9 23:29) in our bosom and we cannot hold it in for the sake of Jesus Who is Mighty To Save. (Hillsong version) Amen
From Facebook post on El Gibbor (June 19, 2013) - Indeed, this great Name, EL GIBBOR, is for all of us in great need - He is now and forever our MIGHTY GOD, the One Who is eternally "MIGHTY TO SAVE" (see Zeph 3:17ESV)....Adrian Rogers recalls a story from Robert Louis Stevenson about passengers who were on a ship in a severe storm and in imminent danger of sinking. The passengers were whispering "Are we going down? Are we safe?" One passenger said, "I've got to find out," so he made his way topside across the heaving decks, to the pilot house, where the pilot of the ship had his hand firmly on the wheel. The pilot turned and saw the fear in the passenger's face and just smiled at him, not even speaking a word. On arriving below the once fearful passenger exclaimed "We're going be all right. I've seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled at me." What we need to do when we are crippled by fear caused by difficult circumstances is look away from the "stormy waves" and into the serene face of our Jesus, our MIGHTY GOD, the One Who is always MIGHTY TO SAVE. We need to see the reassuring smile of our Savior Who alone is able to calm the storms simply by speaking to our heart "Peace, be still!" (Mk 4:39KJV) But remember that while our MIGHTY GOD may calm the storm around us, more often He will calm the storm within us! Rogers went on to conclude "And I can tell you, friend, that He has sailed rougher seas than the one that you're in right now!" Corrie ten Boom said "Look at the world—you'll be distressed. Look within—you'll be depressed. Look at Jesus—you'll be at rest." God grant us grace to sing and pray this great old hymn - "Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but Thou art MIGHTY; Hold me with Thy powerful hand...Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer, Be Thou still my Strength and Shield."...Finally, there is a beautiful promise in Zephaniah given to those Jews (the "remnant") who will come to faith in the Messiah in the latter days, but it is also a promise applicable to saints of all ages. The prophet records that "The LORD your God is in your midst. He is MIGHTY (Gibbor) TO SAVE. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love (NLT = "With His love, He will calm all your fears."). He will rejoice over you with singing." (Zeph 3:17). Spurgeon remarks "What a word is this! Jehovah God in the center of His people in all the majesty of His power! His presence alone suffices to inspire us with peace and hope. Treasures of boundless might are stored in our MIGHTY GOD, and He dwells in the midst of His people; therefore may His people shout for joy. We not only have His presence, but He is engaged upon His choice work of salvation. “He is MIGHTY TO SAVE
From my comments on Hebrew 2:16-177...
A "MERCY FULL"
HIGH PRIEST
Merciful (1655 J C Ryle ;reminds us "Jesus Christ is not only the Son of God mighty to save, but the Son of Man able to feel."
Thomas Brooks - I know that the Lord Jesus is mighty to save me from that wrath, and from that curse, and from that hell, and from that damnation, which is due to me, by reason of my sins; and that he is mighty to justify me, and mighty to pardon me, and mighty to reconcile me to God the Father, and mighty to bring me to glory—as the Scripture does everywhere testify. But, Seventhly, I know, through grace, that Jesus Christ is the only person anointed, appointed, fitted, and furnished by the Father, for that great and blessed work or office, of saving sinners' souls; as these scriptures, among others, do clearly testify, Isaiah 61:1-4; Luke 4:18-21; Mat. 1:20-21; John 6:27. Certainly were Jesus Christ never so able and mighty to save—yet if he were not anointed, appointed, fitted, and furnished by the Father for that great office of saving poor lost sinners, I know no reason why I should expect salvation by him.
An inexhaustible fullness (John Fawcett, "Christ Precious")
"Yes, He is very precious to you who believe!" 1 Peter 2:7
Christian! Jesus is your Savior, your Friend, and your Portion!
You are guilty—His blood cleanses from all sin.
You are miserable—He is rich in mercy.
You are helpless—He is mighty to save.
You are impoverished—His riches are unsearchable.
Octavius Winslow - It will be thus seen that the power of Christ is on the side of saving mercy. That, magnificent as is His creative power; His redemptive, saving power- His power to redeem, and freely to save- saving even to the uttermost- is greater and more magnificent still. The work of our salvation was a great, a stupendous work, demanding the utmost resources of Infinity. None but Jehovah could save: "Salvation is of the Lord." If there is any work of God which demonstrates His Deity, it is the work of saving lost man. None but God could or would have embarked in this mighty, this perilous undertaking, of rescuing the sinner, self-destroyed, guilty, and inevitably doomed to everlasting punishment. But Jesus undertook and girded Himself for the work. It involved the relinquishment of heaven, with all its bliss, its glory, its joy, and His advent to earth, amid all its sin, its suffering, and its woe. No, more, it demanded His personal surrender and sacrifice- the offering up of Himself as an oblation for man to God on the altar of Divine justice. "Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice io God for a sweet-smelling savor."
Newman Hall - To believe in Him as always near, always kind, always mighty to save, is the true and sole antidote to fear and grief.
My enemies are many- their name is Legion. Satan, the great Adversary; the world, and the world's trinity– "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of life"; heart traitors; bosom sins. But He that is for me, is greater far than all that can be against me. He is "stronger" than the "strong man." "Christ the Power of God." "I, who speak in righteousness, am mighty to save!" Believer, are you in trial, beaten down with a great fight of afflictions- like the disciples, out in a midnight of storm, buffeting a sea of trouble? Fear not! When the tempest has done its work, when the trial has fulfilled its embassy, the voice which hushed the waters of old, has only to give forth the omnipotent mandate, "Peace, be still!" and immediately there will be a great calm. The "all power" of Jesus!- what a pillow on which to rest my aching head; disarming all my fears, and inducing thoughts of sweetest comfort, consolation, and joy! "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
Redeemed from the grave, and bold we proclaim Thee almighty to save. - Charles Wesley
Redeemed from the grave,
bold we proclaim You Mighty to Save.
From my comments on Php 2:13
CEV paraphrases it "God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.
God calls us to holiness, and then empowers us to pursue holiness..
James Hastings on Php 2:13: "This virtually is what St. Paul says here:
Work out your own salvation, for now the great impossibility has become possible; God is working in you; this is no hopeless task to which I am calling you, no fruitless beating of the air, no idle effort of the leopard to change his spots or the Ethiopian to wash himself white. The Lord is working in you, and He is mighty to save. Whatever impulse you feel, whatever goodwill to this work, look upon it as a token of His presence and of His readiness to help you in it; that is God working in you both to will it and to do it, for He has no feeling but one of goodwill to you." (From Hastings' comments on Philippians 2:12-13 Work Out Your Own Salvation)
Jay Adams... El-Roi = “God that seeth”—cf. Ge 16:13. The encouraging story that accompanies this name is calculated to bring hope to modern day Hagars, wandering alone. This single parent needed to know—as many today do—that in the lonely places, where danger and uncertainty lurk on every side, God’s children are not really a`lone. God overlooks none; He sees them all. (A Theology of Christian Counseling: More than Redemption)...Indeed Hagar's personal encounter discovered the great truth that our God is forever...Mighty to Save When we're found in the desert place like Hagar let us be filled with His Spirit and sing out (like Job 1:21, cp Ps 34:1)...Blessed Be Your Name
S Lewis Johnson...
And then the Christian life is simplified into three little words, “He must increase.” Those are three beautiful musts aren’t they? I know you’ve heard preachers preach on the three musts of John 3. Well that’s what they are and they do speak volumes. Paul put it another way, he said, “that He might have the preeminence.” So, “He must increase,” and John knows the secret of joy is to recognize that first. Then secondly he says, “But I must decrease.” John knows Jesus’ place, but John also knows John’s place. “I must decrease.” James Denney (Scottish theologian) (another source with "chronology" of his publications) once said something that I think expresses a very important truth. You’ll sometimes find this on little churches in the Highlands of Scotland. Near the pulpit there will be a sign that says,
“No man can give at once the impression that he himself is clever and that Christ is mighty to save.”
We don’t want to share the glory with Jesus Christ -- He must increase, I must decrease. (The Secret of Joy) as quoted in my John 3:30 Commentary
(Addendum: A Free Church of Scotland divine, James Denney, was as famous in the pulpit as he was in print. Of Christ he wrote: “No man can give at one and the same time the impression that he himself is clever and that Jesus Christ is mighty to save.”)
Isaiah 50:2 Is My hand so short that it cannot ransom? Or have I no power to deliver?
In context this refers to His deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. If He freed them from slavery, then He can deliver them from Babylon also.
Peter Bilhorn (wrote the music for J L M Young's hymn "Look to Jesus When in Trouble") - [Look to Jesus] was the advice of a Sabbath school teacher to a class of boys, in Mendota, Illinois, among whom was P. P. Bilhorn, then about six years old. In less than a year he had occasion to test this advice, as he came near to death. He was carried away in a rushing torrent from a cloud burst. All efforts to save himself were in vain, as the grass and weeds, which he caught, gave way to the flood. Helpless, he then lifted his hands and heart to Jesus, and was saved. Two men, on a bridge below, under which the current was rushing, reached down, caught the uplifted hands and drew him out. None too soon, for he lay unconscious for two long hours. An Irish sailor worked over him till the lungs were emptied of water and respiration restored. The following hymn is written in memory of that event, as an exhortation to every soul in trouble, to look to Him who is Mighty to save.
F B Meyer - We turn on the pages of our Bibles to Isaiah 63, where a mighty Conqueror is seen coming toward the southern frontier of Palestine, with His back on Bozrah and Edom. His garments are dyed with the blood of Israel’s foes; and behind Him cities are desolate and depopulated, territories are laid waste without inhabitant, and Edom’s hostility is forever quenched in blood. What a portraiture is here of Jesus “mighty to save,” who in His cross triumphed over principalities and powers, and made a show of them openly. He has overcome the world, the flesh, and the prince of the power of darkness; and stands forevermore between us, and our former oppressors.
Daily Light - Their Redeemer is strong - I KNOW your your transgressions are many and your sins are great -- I have given help to one who is mighty. -- The LORD... your Savior, And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.--Mighty to save.--Able to keep you from stumbling .--Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God --He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Is My hand so short that it cannot ransom? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?... I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jer 50.34. Amos 5.12.--Ps. 89.19.-- Isa. 49.26.--Isa. 63.1.--Jude 1:24.--Ro. 5.20. John 3.18.--Heb. 7.25. Isa. 50.2. Ro. 8.35, 38, 39.
My enemies are many- their name is Legion. Satan, the great Adversary; the world, and the world's trinity– "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of life"; heart traitors; bosom sins. But He that is for me, is greater far than all that can be against me. He is "stronger" than the "strong man." "Christ the Power of God." "I, who speak in righteousness, am mighty to save!" Believer, are you in trial, beaten down with a great fight of afflictions- like the disciples, out in a midnight of storm, buffeting a sea of trouble? Fear not! When the tempest has done its work, when the trial has fulfilled its embassy, the voice which hushed the waters of old, has only to give forth the omnipotent mandate, "Peace, be still!" and immediately there will be a great calm. The "all power" of Jesus!- what a pillow on which to rest my aching head; disarming all my fears, and inducing thoughts of sweetest comfort, consolation, and joy! "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8 (From - THE NIGHT WATCHES by John MacDuff)
Look to Jesus When in Trouble
Look to Jesus, when in trouble,
Let Him always for thee care;
Cast thy burden on the Savior
All thy griefs He came to bear.
Refrain
Look to Jesus! look to Jesus!
See Him hanging on the tree!
Through His death, He came to save us;
See Him dying there for thee!
Look to Jesus, when the billows
Rush o’er thee, a mighty wave;
Lift thy hand and soul to Heaven,
Christ Himself will quickly save.
Refrain
Look to Jesus, when temptations
Lure thee from the narrow road,
Touched with all thy human feelings,
He will bear thy heavy load.
Refrain
Look to Jesus, when in trouble,
When by sin and sorrow pressed;
Don’t reject His precious promise,
Come to Me, I’ll give thee rest.
Refrain
Spurgeon's Sermon - An Earnest Invitation - Can you picture that dear face of his, those eyes that wept, those hands that bled, those lips that spoke quell notes of love, such words of pity and can you believe that one day those eyes shall know no tears. but shall flash with lightning, that those hands shall know no mercy, but shall grasp a rod of iron and break the wicked into pieces like potter’s vessels; and those feet shall know no errands of love, but he shall tread upon his enemies, and crush them, even as grapes are trodden by the wine-pressers, and the blood thereof shall stein his garments, and as he comes up from their destruction they shall ask him, “Who is this that cometh” — not from Calvary, not from Gethsemane, but “Who is this that cometh from Edom” — the land of his enemies — with dyed garments from Bozrah?” — the land of his stoutest foes — “this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength?” And what shall be the answer? It is most terrible. Who is this that has trodden his enemies and crushed them? — “I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” Why, Jesus, if thou hadst said, “Mighty to destroy,” we might have understood thee; but “mighty to save!” — and so he is — this gives the edge to the whole sentence, that when he shall destroy his enemies, he that is mighty to save will be mighty to crush, mighty to damn, mighty to devour, and rend his prey in pieces. I know nothing, I repeat, more fearful than the thought that Christ will be angry, and that if we live and die finally impenitent, rejecting his mercy and despising his sacrifice we have good need to tremble at this sentence, “Kiss the Son lest he be angry” And now do you see again that if Christ once be angry, it must be all over with our hopes or our rest? We will suppose now some poor girl who has stepped aside from the paths of right. She teas persevered in her iniquity despite many warnings. Friends rise up to help her, but they drop off one by one, for she becomes incorrigibly wicked. Others come to help her, but as often as they rise they fall again, for she sins, and sins, and sins again. There is, however, one who has oftentimes received her to his bosom, erring though she be — her father. He says, “Shall I forget the child I have begotten? Sinner she is, but she is still my child,” and often as she sins and goes away he will not reject her; he receives her to his house again; tainted and defiled, again he gives her the kiss of fond affection. At last she perseveres in her iniquity, and goes to such a length, that one day in her desperate despair, some one says to her, why not seek a friend to deliver you in this your awful hour of distress and anguish on account of sin? “Oh,” says she, “I have none left.” “But there is your father. have you note father or a mother?” “Yes,” says she, “but he is angry, and he will do nothing for me.”
Alexander Maclaren - " Very significant is it that the prophet does not recognize in this Conqueror, with blood-bespattered robes, the meek sufferer of Isaiah 53., or Him who in Isaiah 61. came to bind up the broken-hearted."
The method by which the nations are to be conquered by the King at His Second Coming is too often thought to be a peaceful missionary conquest; on the contrary, He breaks them with a rod of iron and dashes them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. This violent subduing of the nations by the returning King is many times pictured in the predictions of God’s Word. None of these is more vividly stated than Isaiah 63:1–6, John MacArthur
King James Version Study Bible - In having listed God’s conditions for peace (chs. 58, 59), and by having described the nature of that peace (chs. 60–62), the prophet now describes the consummation of that peace (chs. 63–66). Edom represents all who hate Israel. Bozrah was Edom’s capital city. Dyed garments, the color of red, are reminiscent of Revelation 19:13: “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” The red-stained condition of the garments has been caused by his trampling blood in the winepress of God’s judgment. The vengeance of God is further described as a judgment so severe that the very lifeblood of the nations will be poured out on the earth. The entire passage is strikingly similar to Revelation 19, where Christ comes to “judge and make war … clothed with a vesture dipped in blood … treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” The flowing of the blood is similar to the description in Revelation 14:20.
Edward Engelbrecht - Isa 63:1–6 No enemy is able to rob God’s people of their salvation because their redemption simultaneously ushers in the “day of vengeance” on all hostile, demonic foes. Cf Isa 59:17; 61:2; 62:11–12. The final execution of judgment will come when the peoples and kingdoms of this world will appear before the throne of the ascended Lord. Cf Rev 14:18–20.
Isa 63:1 Edom. Israel’s inveterate enemy stands for all forces aligned against God and His people (cf Isa 34). Cf Isa 11:14; 34:5–15; Ge 25:23; Nu 24:18; Ezek 35; Am 1:6, 11; Obadiah 10–16. crimsoned garments. A royal hue, but see note, v 2. Bozrah. Key city in Edom. It is I. Having established His people, the Lord turns to judge the unbelieving nations with a day of vengeance.
Isa 63:2 red. Play on Hebrew word for Edom, spelled nearly the same. The Lord’s garments are stained with the blood of His defeated antagonists. The decisive battle took place on Golgotha (cf Jn 12:31–32; 16:11; see the Easter hymn by Thomas Kelly, TLH 209). treads in the winepress? Violent stomping and blood-red juice symbolize God’s wrath. See note, Jl 3:13.
Isa 63:3 Treading grapes was normally a festive community event (16:10; Jgs 9:27).
Isa 63:4 The “day of vengeance” and the “year of redemption” are not at odds but necessarily a union. See notes, 34:8; 61:2..
Isa 63:5 I looked. See note, 59:16. My own arm brought Me salvation. Israel’s unfaithfulness left the Lord alone; His victory was His alone. My wrath upheld Me. No one was righteous enough to stand beside the Lord. He alone would judge.
Isa 63:6 Continues winepress imagery (vv 2–3). God both crushes His enemies and, here, floods them with His wrath.
Isa 63:1–6 Just as the Lord acts decisively to bring redemption for His people, His vengeance is also unleashed on every evil foe. On the Last Day, the Lord’s overwhelming power will trample all His enemies, including all who reject the salvation purchased with Jesus’ lifeblood. His crimson garments bear witness to His decisive defeat of sin and death through His crucifixion and resurrection. He is indeed mighty to save, giving resurrection life to all who believe. • Lord Jesus, keep us, we pray, marching in the greatness of Your mighty strength, in the way that leads to life everlasting. Amen. (The Lutheran Study Bible)
Spurgeon - Bid poor sinners come and look to him whom they have pierced, and live. When you have told it to some, tell it to many more, and bid them communicate the blessed tidings that Jesus, mighty to save, still waits to receive sinners, and to blot out their transgressions. (VISITS FROM THE LORD. NO.3481)
Look up to heaven, and ask yourself how sinners can ever reach those harps of gold, and learn that everlasting song unless they have someone to tell them of Jesus who is “mighty to save.”
Spurgeon's Sermon - The Mighty Arm - Hebrews 7:25 (Guttermost to the uttermost) - I should like to have an hour to expatiate upon the gracious power of God as seen in the intercession of Christ. Omnipotence dwells in every plea that falls from those dear lips, as the eternal Son pleads his own merits with the everlasting Father. Beloved, the power of Christ is well known to many of you. Did it not call you from the dead? Has not it kept you from going down into the pit? Is there not such power in his name that it makes your heart to leap? If we speak of anything else, you listen to it and glide into sleep; but if you hear about him, does it not stir the very deeps of your soul? Have you not often, when you felt faint and weary, sprung to your feet with exultation at the very thought of him? Has not his presence made your sick bed soft, and what you thought your dying couch to be a throne whereon you sat and reigned as in the heavenly places?
God well knew at what cost the work of redemption would be achieved. He knew what His violated law demanded, what His inflexible justice required, and through what costly channel His love must flow; therefore "He laid help upon one that was mighty" - "mighty to save." And what was the secret of His might? His absolute deity. Take a lower view than this, and you reduce the work of Christ to nothing; you tear the soul from the body, pluck the sun from the firmament, wrench the keystone from the arch and the foundation from the building. But look at His work through His Godhead, and oh, how vast, how costly, how glorious does it appear; what a basis for a poor sinner to build upon; what a resting-place for the weary soul; what faith, hope, and assurance does it inspire; how perfect the obedience, how infinitely efficacious the blood, and how prevailing the intercession- all derived from the Godhead of Jesus. Glorious temple were You, blessed Son of God!
"Break off thy sins by righteousness, for it is time to seek the Lord." But thou repliest, "How can I break them off? they are like cords and bonds." Ah, soul, here is another part of thy misery, that thou hast destroyed thyself, but thou canst not save thyself; thou hast woven the net, thou hast made it fast and firm, but thou canst not tear it in pieces. Bat there is One who can, there is One upon whom the Spirit of the Lord descended that he might loose the prisoner. There is a heart that feels for thee in heaven, and there is One mighty to save, who can rescue thee. Breathe that prayer, "O set me free, thou Liberator of captive souls;" breathe the prayer now, and believe that he can deliver thee, and thou shalt yet, captive as thou art, go free, and this shall be thy ransom price, his precious blood; and this shall be the privilege of thy ransomed life, to love and praise him who hath redeemed thee from going down into the pit.
The principal business of the Christian is to proclaim Christ today, with this as part of the proclamation, “To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Even now is he mighty to save, mighty now by his blood to deliver his people from the avenging angel, and by his flesh to be the continual food of their souls; and we are to see to it that we do not so project ourselves into a future age as to be negligent of the present use of the ever-present Savior who is with us always, even to the end of the age.
Spurgeon on the importance of the Names of God (including this descriptive Name "Mighty to Save")...
There is something in every Name of God which may breed faith in our souls. Whether we know him as Jehovah, Elohim, Shaddai, or Lord, or by whatsoever other name he has been pleased to manifest himself, that title becomes the ground of our confidence, and is the means of fostering faith in his people’s minds, when they come to understand its meaning. To a trembling people the Lord enlarges on his wonderful names. I think he also does it to excite our wonder and our gratitude. He that loves us so much is Jehovah: he that can create and destroy; he that is the self-existent God; he, even he, has set his heart upon his people, and loves them and counts them precious in his sight. It is a marvelous thing. The more one thinks of it, the more shall he be overwhelmed with astonishment, that he who is everything should love us who are less than nothing. It is the Holy One who has deigned to choose, and to love unholy men, and to look upon them in grace, and save them from their sins. That you may bow low in loving gratitude, God lets you see who he is. That you may see how great a stoop of condescension he has made, when he loves his unworthy people, and takes them into union with himself, you are made to see how great and glorious is the diving name.
Spurgeon - The principal business of the Christian is to proclaim Christ today, with this as part of the proclamation, “To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Even now is he mighty to save
Spurgeon - Do you want arguments for soul-winning? Look up to heaven, and ask yourself how sinners can ever reach those harps of gold, and learn that everlasting song unless they have someone to tell them of Jesus who is “mighty to save.” But the best argument of all is to be found in the wounds of Jesus. (1 Peter 2:8 Stumbling at the Word NO. 3258)
Our Lord also describes Himself as a Saviour. “I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Observe that the word “mighty is joined with His saving, and not with his destroying.” Conclusion: Hearken to the proclamation, “Behold thy salvation cometh.” Jesus can save you, for He is mighty to save! He has saved others like you. He can overthrow, all your enemies. He can do this alone. He is able to save you now. It is a sad wonder that men do not believe in Jesus. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Spurgeon - “Who is this?” the answer comes to us, “I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” Listen to this, you who feel that you are great sinners, you who know that you need a mighty Saviour. Here is one able to do for you all that you need. He comes from the field of battle, from the place of conquest, where he has fought the fight on your behalf, and won for you the victory over sin, and death, and hell. Who is he?
“’Tis the Saviour, now victorious.
Travelling onward in his might;
’Tis the Saviour, oh, how glorious
To his people is the sight!
Jesus now is strong to save;
Mighty to redeem the slave.”
Spurgeon - Dear friends, I will not go into a full explanation of these verses just now; I have often explained them to you; but this is the one lesson that they teach, there is a Saviour “mighty to save.” Nothing can destroy those who put their trust in him; he will overthrow every enemy of our souls if we take him to be our Saviour.
Mighty to save He now appears,
Mighty to raise the dead,
Mighty to stanch the bleeding wound,
And lift the fallen head.
Spurgeon - A little while ago, a vessel picked up a man far out at sea in an open boat; he was unconscious; the oars were lying by his side, and he had evidently drifted from off the beach, carried by a current right away from help. I wonder whether any man here is drifting right away; out of sight of land, drifting on and on? Ah, Jack, when you were a boy, you went with your mother to the little chapel in the village. Do you recollect that you were in the Sunday-school? You loved to worship with your mother, who is now in heaven; but you went away from home, and you went away from God too! You have been pretty nearly round the world; do you remember the places where you have landed only to plunge into sin? Oh, you forget, do you? I must tell you then, that God did not forget, and your own conscience does not forget, for the sin is on your soul today. You have drifted, drifted, drifted. How long is it since you read a chapter of the Bible? How long since you bowed your knee in prayer? You have drifted very far out. To wish this full-rigged ship of mine, which has just come within sight of you, might pick you up. At any rate, I hail you from this quarterdeck, and if you are not quite unconscious, I hope you will hear the call. Poor shipmate, we would like to get you up the ship’s side! Some of my men will be better you in the boats directly, for there are true hearts here that love to rescue the perishing. If one of them comes all, just know that he is a friend, and that he comes in the Name of Jesus, “mighty to save.” May the Lord Jesus come Himself and put out His hand to so sinking Peter, and save him from a watery grave! Amen. (Psalm 95:5 The Sea! The Sea! The Wide and Open Sea! NO. 3291
Spurgeon - Jesus Christ can save you just as you are if you will but trust him, so trust him now with your whole heart, and you shall be saved. Trust to him as completely as the drowning man trusts to the lifeboat or the lifebuoy; if he tried to swim to land, he would to lost, his only hope of being saved is in trusting to a power greater than his own. It is just so with thee, sinner; thou art powerless to save thyself, but all power in heaven and in earth has been committed to Christ, he is mighty to save, therefore trust him to save thee. Rest wholly upon what he is as the Christ of God, the anointed and appointed Savior, and upon what he has done upon Calvary’s cross to save all who believe in him, and thou shalt be saved this very hour. Trust Jesus here and now, and thou shalt be saved here and now, and to God shall be all the glory for ever and ever. Amen. (2 Thessalonians 1:3 THE GROWTH OF FAITH NO. 3250)
Mighty to save,
Because we are so lost
Spurgeon on Ps 124:1 - If he who is “mighty to save” had not been your Helper, just think, Christians, you who are to-day filled with joy, whose feet are treading Mount Tabor, think what you would have been if the Lord had not been on your side, and then praise and magnify that grace to which you owe so much.
All of grace - Jesus died for those who are guilty of “all manner of sin and blasphemy,” and therefore I am sure He will not refuse those who are unwillingly the captives of evil thoughts. Cast yourself upon Him, thoughts and all, and see if He is not mighty to save. He can still those horrible whisperings of the fiend, or He can enable you to see them in their true light so that you may not be worried by them. In His own way He can and will save you and at length give you perfect peace. Only trust Him for this and everything else.
Christ's Incarnation: The foundation of Christianity - Join in the joy, ye saints, for He is also the Preserver of the saved ones, delivering them from innumerable perils, and He is the sure Perfecter of all whom He preserves. Jesus is no partial Saviour, beginning a work, and never completing it; but, saving and cleansing, restoring and upholding, He also perfects and presents the saved ones, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, before His Father’s face. Rejoice, then, all ye people; let your hills and valleys ring with joy, for a Saviour, who is mighty to save, is born among you.
Revised devotional -
WITH THE WORDS, "MIGHTY TO save," we can fully understand the great work of salvation. This indeed is total mercy. Christ is "might to save" those who call on Him. He is mighty to make sinners repent. He is mighty to give us new hearts and to work faith in us. He is mighty to make those who hate holiness love it and to make those who despise His name bow before Him. He is mighty to carry to heaven those who believe.
This is not all, for divine power is equally evident after conversion. The life of a believer is a series of miracles from "the mighty God." The bush bums but is not consumed (Exodus 3:2). He is mighty to keep His people holy and preserve them in His love until that day when He fulfills their spiritual existence in heaven.
Christ's might does not make people believers and then leave them to struggle alone. "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it" (Philippians 1:6). Jesus not only imparts the first germ of life in a dead soul, He also continues the divine existence and strengthens it until every bond of sin is broken Then the soul leaps from earth perfected in glory.
Here is some encouragement. Are you praying for someone you love? Oh don't stop praying. Remember Christ is "mighty to save." You are powerless to reclaim the rebel but your Lord is Mighty. Grab hold of that omnipotent arm and ask Him to put forth His strength.
Are you personally troubled? Fear not, "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Jesus is "mighty to save." The best proof is that He has saved you. What a thousand mercies that you did not find Him mighty to destroy!
Spurgeon devotional based on Sermon 111
4 JANUARY (1857)
A mighty Saviour
“Mighty to save.” Isaiah 63:1
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Hebrews 7:23–28
Remember the case of John Newton, the great and mighty preacher of St. Mary, Woolnoth,—an instance of the power of God to change the heart, as well as to give peace when the heart is changed. Ah! dear hearers, I often think within myself, “This is the greatest proof of the Saviour’s power.” Let another doctrine be preached: will it do the same? If it will, why not let every man gather a crowd round him and preach it? Will it really do it? If it will, then the blood of men’s souls must rest upon the man who does not boldly proclaim it. If he believes his gospel does save souls, how does he account for it that he stands in his pulpit from the first of January till the last of December, and never hears of a harlot made honest, nor of a drunkard reclaimed? Why? For this reason, that it is a poor dilution of Christianity. It is something like it, but it is not the bold, broad Christianity of the Bible; it is not the full gospel of the blessed God, for that has power to save. But if they do believe that theirs is the gospel, let them come out to preach it, and let them strive with all their might to win souls from sin, which is rife enough, God knows. We say again, that we have proof positive in cases even here before us, that Christ is mighty to save even the worst of men—to turn them from follies in which they have too long indulged, and we believe that the same gospel preached elsewhere would produce the same results. The best proof you can ever have of God’s being mighty to save, dear hearers, is that he saved you.
FOR MEDITATION: Does the church today lack the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ (Romans 15:29) because the church is ashamed of the fullness of the gospel, which is God’s power to save all who believe (Romans 1:16)? (365 Days with Spurgeon - Volume 1 compiled by Terence Peter Crosby)
Rescue the Perishing-Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave, Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen, Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save." Some time later, when Mr. Sankey was about to sing this song in St. Louis, he related the incident. A man sprang to his feet in the audience and said, "I am the boy she kissed that night. I was never able to get away from the impression made by that touching act, I have become a Christian
Another version - Fanny Crosby, often called the “queen of gospel music,” recalled how she wrote this challenging hymn:
I remember writing that hymn in the year 1869. Like many of my hymns, it was written following a personal experience at the New York City Bowery Mission. I usually tried to get to the mission at least one night a week to talk to “my boys.” I was addressing a large company of working men one hot summer evening, when the thought kept forcing itself on my mind that some mother’s boy must be rescued that night or he might be eternally lost. So I made a pressing plea that if there was a boy present who had wandered from his mother’s home and teaching, he should come to me at the end of the service. A young man of 18 came forward— “Did you mean me, Miss Crosby? I promised my mother to meet her in heaven, but as I am now living, that will be impossible.” We prayed for him and suddenly he arose with a new light in his eyes— “Now I am ready to meet my mother in heaven, for I have found God.” A few days before, William Doane, composer of the music, had sent Fanny Crosby a tune for a new song to be titled “Rescue the Perishing.” It was to be based on the text “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23).
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, feelings lie buried that grace can restore; touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, chords that are broken will vibrate once more.
Rescue the perishing, duty demands it; strength for thy labor the Lord will provide; back to the narrow way patiently win them; tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.
Refrain: Rescue the perishing, care for the dying; Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save. (Amazing grace: 366 inspiring hymn stories for daily devotions)
Here are Fanny's own words in her autobiography -
As I was addressing a large company of working men one hot August evening, the thought kept forcing itself upon my mind that some mother’s boy must be rescued that very night or perhaps not at all. So I requested that, if there was any boy present, who had wandered away from mother’s teaching, he would come to the platform at the conclusion of the service. A young man of 18 came forward and said, "Did you mean me? I have promised my mother to meet her in heaven; but as I am now living that will be impossible." We prayed for him; he finally arose with a new light in his eyes; and exclaimed triumphantly, "Now, I can meet mother in heaven; for I have found her God." A few days before, Mr. Doane had sent me the subject Rescue the Perishing, and while I sat there that evening the line came to me, Rescue the perishing, care for the dying. I could think of nothing else that night. When I arrived it my home I went to work on it at once; and before I retired the entire hymn was ready for a melody. The next day my words were written and forwarded to Mr. Doane, who wrote the beautiful and touching music as it now stands.
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
In November, 1903, I went to Lynn, Massachusetts, to speak before the Young Men’s Christian Association. I told them the incident that led me to write Rescue the Perishing, as I have just related it. After the meeting a large number of men shook hands with me, and among them was a man, who seemed to be deeply moved. You may imagine my surprise when he said, Miss Crosby, I was the boy, who told you more than thirty-five years ago that I had wandered from my mother’s God. The evening that you spoke at the mission I sought and found peace, and I have tried to live a consistent Christian life ever since. If we never meet again on earth, we will meet up yonder. As he said this, he raised my hand to his lips; and before I had recovered from my surprise he had gone; and remains to this day a nameless friend, who touched a deep chord of sympathy in my heart. It is these notes of sympathy that vibrate when a voice calls them forth from the dim memories of the past, and the music is celestial.
Our Daily Walk - F B Meyer - JESUS CHRIST TRIUMPHANT -
"Who is this that cometh from Edom...glorious in His apparel, travelling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save."-- Isa 63:1. WE CAN never speak of our Lord as we would! We select the richest metaphors of Scripture, the ideals of poets, the masterpieces of the rarest art; but none of them suffice. We steep our thought with fragments from the diaries and autobiographies of the saints. We meditate on His words till our hearts begin to burn! But we come back to the light of common days, and the summons of daily tasks, knowing that we have Him, but what He is neither tongue can tell nor heart conceive. We await, therefore, with some impatience, till the veil will part asunder and we shall see Him as He is. The wistful yearning after Christ, which has characterized every age, has broken out again and again in transcendent expression, but among all the imaginings of sanctified and glowing souls, it is hard to find one more suggestive and inspiring than this pre-vision of Isaiah. He is standing on the foothills of the Judean table-land, looking due south toward Edom, when he is startled by an unexpected and extraordinary spectacle. A mighty Conqueror is descried in the distance, of commanding appearance traversing slowly and majestically the desert-wastes, His back toward Edom, His face toward the Judean frontier. He is clearly alone. Whether He had led an army, or had completed His work without an army, is not immediately apparent; but He approaches, travelling in the greatness of His strength. It is only natural that the astonished seer should challenge Him with the cry: "Who is this that cometh from Edom?" Across the intervening space the answer comes: "I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save!" Clearly, then, He is no enemy, but an Ally, and much more! The word save suggests that there is no reason for fear, but every reason to hope. Notice the special aspect of Jesus Christ which appears in this scene. It is not Jesus on the Cross, but in His Resurrection and Ascension glory. He it is who stands Sentry between us and the power of the flesh, for which Edom stands. He is not simply the Forgiver of Sin, but the Conqueror over all Sin. He is more than a Conqueror for Himself--He is responsible for all who trust Him.
F B Myer (Our Daily Homily)...
Edom and Israel were closely related, but there was constant rivalry and war between the two peoples. Sometimes Israel held the upper-hand for a little; but Edom soon broke loose again, and resumed the old independence, with the border forays (2 Chronicles 21:10; 25:11–14; Psalm 137:7). Now as Edom stands for the flesh, which hungers for the savory dish, and is willing to give even its birthright of spiritual power to secure it— this long feud is full of interest to us. It reminds us of the strife of Romans 7, between the will of the renewed man and the law of the members, ever striving for mastery.
We turn on the pages of our Bibles to Isaiah 63, where a mighty Conqueror is seen coming toward the southern frontier of Palestine, with His back on Bozrah and Edom. His garments are dyed with the blood of Israel’s foes; and behind Him cities are desolate and depopulated, territories are laid waste without inhabitant, and Edom’s hostility is forever quenched in blood. What a portraiture is here of Jesus “mighty to save,” who in His cross triumphed over principalities and powers, and made a show of them openly. He has overcome the world, the flesh, and the prince of the power of darkness; and stands forevermore between us, and our former oppressors.
Let us resign the conflict wholly to Him. We have sought in vain for victory by resolutions and endeavors; by close attention to religious duties; by occupying our mind with various interests, so that we had no leisure to be tempted; by diet and exercise. Now, hand the conflict absolutely over to Jesus: do not even try to help Him: just let Him do all: be quite still, and when temptation comes, let Him meet it..
Isaiah 63:1–6; Revelation 19:11–21 THE SECOND ADVENT
In Isaiah 61:1–2, the day of vengeance follows the year of grace. In this passage the day of vengeance is followed by the year of the redeemed. In simple terms the day of vengeance (tribulation) follows the year of grace and precedes the year of kingdom glory. What a terrible day this day of vengeance will be!!
Two questions are asked:
Question 1. Who is this? The answer comes from the advancing figure Himself. In keeping with His previous commission, 61:1–2, and promise, 62:1, He answers with the emphatic ‘I’. Through the righteousness displayed in His cross, He, the One mighty to save, has come to save His people. In a related passage, Rev. 19:11, He is seen as the conqueror (on the white horse) bearing names that thrill the heart. ‘Faithful and True’ identifies His humanity, ‘Word of God’ indicates His deity, while ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’ insists on His sovereignty. Christ has come back to earth in mighty power!
Question 2. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel? The traveler is now near enough for watchers to see that His apparel is ‘red’ and indicates One who has trodden the winepress. This is reflected in Revelation 19 where the conqueror wears ‘a vesture dipped in blood’. The winepress He has trodden is ‘the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God’. The battle is over, the enemies are defeated, vengeance is executed and the Mighty Conqueror is about to deliver His own. (Day by Day: Christ Foreshadowed: Glimpses in the Old Testament)
Kathy Gallagher (When His Secret Sin Breaks Your Heart: Letters to Hurting Wives)...
“We are the broken, You are the Healer;
Jesus Redeemer, mighty to save.”
Octavius Winslow. Daily Walking with God. APRIL 11.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18.
Who that has felt it will deny, that "fear has torment"? The legal fear of death, of judgment, and of condemnation- the fear engendered by a slavish view of the Lord's commandments- a defective view of the believer's relation to God- imperfect conceptions of the finished work of Christ- unsettled apprehensions of the great fact of acceptance- yielding to the power of unbelief- the retaining of guilt upon the conscience, or the influence of any concealed sin, will fill the heart with the torment of fear. Some of the most eminent of God's people have thus been afflicted: this was Job's experience- "I am afraid of all my sorrows." "Even when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling takes hold on my flesh." "When I consider Him, I am afraid of Him." So also David- "What time I am afraid, I will trust in You." "My flesh trembles for fear of You; I am afraid of Your judgments." But "perfect love casts out fear:" he that fears is not perfected in the love of Christ. The design and tendency of the love of Jesus shed abroad in the heart is to lift the soul out of all its "bondage through fear of death," and its ultimate consequences, and soothe it to rest on that glorious declaration, triumphing in which, many have gone to glory, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." See the blessed spring from where flows a believer's victory over all bondage-fear- from Jesus: not from his experience of the truth, not from evidence of his acceptance and adoption, not from the work of the Spirit in his heart, blessed as it is- but from out of, and away from, himself- even from Jesus. The blood and righteousness of Christ, based upon the infinite dignity and glory of His person, and wrought into the experience of the believer by the Holy Spirit, expels from the heart all fear of death and of judgment, and fills it with perfect peace. O you of fearful heart! why these anxious doubts, why these tormenting fears, why this shrinking from the thought of death, why these distant, hard, and unkind thoughts of God? Why this prison-house- why this chain? You are not perfected in the love of Jesus, for "perfect love casts out fear:" you are not perfected in that great truth, that Jesus is mighty to save, that He died for a poor sinner, that His death was a perfect satisfaction to Divine justice; and that without a single meritorious work of your own, just as you are, poor, empty, vile, worthless, unworthy, you are welcome to the rich provision of sovereign grace and dying love.
Horatius Bonar's
THE ANCHOR WITHIN THE VEIL
AMID the shadows and the fears
That overcloud this home of tears,
Amid my poverty and sin,
The tempest and the war within,
I cast my soul on Thee,
Mighty to save even me,
Jesus, Thou Son of God!
Drifting across a sunless sea,
Cold, heavy mist encurtaining me;
Toiling along life’s broken road,,
With snares around and foes abroad,
I cast my soul on Thee,
Mighty to save even me,
Jesus, Thou Son of God!
Mine is a day of fear and strife,,
A needy soul, a needy life,
A needy world, a needy age;
Yet in my perilous pilgrimage
I cast my soul on Thee,
Mighty to save even me,
Jesus, Thou Son of God!
To Thee I come! ah, only Thouu
Canst wipe the sweat from off this brow;
Thou, only Thou canst make me whole,
And soothe the fever of my soul!
I cast my soul on Thee,
Mighty to save even me,
Jesus, Thou Son of God!
On Thee I rest! Thy love and gracee
Are my sole rock and resting-place;
In Thee my thirst and hunger sore,
Lord, let me quench for evermore!
I cast my soul on Thee,
Mighty to save even me,
Jesus, Thou Son of God!
’Tis earth, not heaven; ’tis night, not noon;;
The sorrowless is coming soon;
But, till the morn of love appears,,
Which ends the travail and the tears,
I cast my soul on Thee,
Mighty to save even me,
Jesus, Thou Son of God!
Awake! for the Trumpet Is Sounding!
by Fanny Crosby
Awake! for the trumpet is sounding!!
Awake to its call, and obey!
The voice of our Leader cries, “Onward!”
Oh, let us no longer delay!
Refrain
No truce while the foe is unconquered;
No laying the armor down!
No peace till the battle is ended,
And victory wins the crown!
Then gird on the sword of the Spirit,
With helmet, and breastplate, and shield;
And valiantly follow your Captain,
Determined you never will yield!
Refrain
Then forward! O army of Zion,
With hearts that are loyal and brave!
Stand firm by the Cross and its banner;
And rest in the “Mighty to save
SAVED FROM THE WRECK
Eliza Hewitt
Poor child of the wreck, see the lifeboat is near,
A sweet voice is heard, for the Master is here;
He walks every billow, controls every wave,
’Tis Jesus, King Jesus, the Mighty to Save.
Mighty to Save
Gordon Thompson
I have a Redeemer Who saves me from sin;
Now He’s abiding forever within,
His life for my ransom so freely He gave—
’Tis Jesus my Savior, mighty to save.
Refrain
Mighty to save! He’s mighty to save,
Yes! Jesus my Savior is mighty to save!
Sin’s old allurements no longer I crave;
Jesus allures me, mighty to save.
I have a Redeemer to pilot me o’er
Life’s angry billows to Heaven’s fair shore;
I know He will keep me, tho’ wild be the wave—
’Tis Jesus my Savior, mighty to save.
Refrain
I have a Redeemer, so watchful is He,
Walking beside me, my terrors all flee;
He guards me in danger, and bids me be brave—
’Tis Jesus my Savior, mighty to save.
Refrain
I have a Redeemer, I know He is mine,
Proving His presence by power divine;
I surely can trust Him to conquer the grave—
This Jesus my Savior, mighty to save.
Refrain
BOUNDLESS SALVATION
William Booth
O boundless salvation! deep ocean of love,
O fullness of mercy, Christ brought from above,
The whole world redeeming, so rich and so free,
Now flowing for all men, now flowing for all men,
Now flowing for all men, come, roll over me!
My sins they are many, their stains are so deep,
And bitter the tears of remorse that I weep;
But useless is weeping; thou great crimson sea,
Thy waters can cleanse me, thy waters can cleanse me,
Thy waters can cleanse me, come, roll over me!
My tempers are fitful, my passions are strong,
They bind my poor soul and they force me to wrong;
Beneath thy blest billows deliverance I see,
O come, mighty ocean, O come, mighty ocean,
O come, mighty ocean, and roll over me!
Now tossed with temptation, then haunted with fears,
My life has been joyless and useless for years;
I feel something better most surely would be
If once thy pure waters, if once thy pure waters,
If once thy pure waters would roll over me.
O ocean of mercy, oft longing I’ve stood
On the brink of thy wonderful, life giving flood!
Once more I have reachèd this soul cleansing sea,
I will not go back, I will not go back,
I will not go back till it rolls over me.
The tide is now flowing, I’m touching the wave,
I hear the loud call of the Mighty to Save;
My faith’s growing bolder, delivered I’ll be;
I plunge ’neath the waters, I plunge ’neath the waters,
I plunge ’neath the waters they roll over me.
And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days
Shall gladly be spent in promoting His praise
Who opened His bosom to pour out this sea
Of boundless salvation, of boundless salvation,
Of boundless salvation for you and for me.
Thou Mighty to Save
Fanny Crosby
1 O Jesus, my Lord and Savior,
Who gavest Thy life for me,
No room in my heart for pleasures
That have not their trust in Thee;
Earth has no abiding city,—
Not her is my place of rest,—
I seek for a brighter country,
A home with the pure and blest.
Refrain:
And oh, when my course is finished,
And victor’s palm I wave,
To Thee will I give the glory,
O Thou, who art mighty to save,
To Thee will I give the glory,
O Thou, who art mighty to save.
2 The world like a dream will vanish,
The hope like the years decay,
Its beauties like dewy blossoms
Will wither and pass away;
But Thou wilt abide unchanging,
My sure defense wilt be;
O Jesus my Lord and Savior,
I’m trusting alone in Thee. [Refrain]
3 O what are the toils and labors,
The crosses that now I bear,
Compared with the crown immortal
Laid up for my soul to wear?
‘Twill matter to me but little
What conflicts I have passed,
If, after the strife is ended,
I rest at Thy feet at last. [Refrain]
Joyful news to all mankind ,
Charles Coller
Joyful news to all mankind,
Jesus is mighty to save;
All who seek shall surely find
Jesus is mighty to save.
Sinners may relinquish wrong,
Faltering hearts may now be strong;
Sound the tidings right along,
Jesus is mighty, is mighty to save.
Refrain
Jesus is mighty to save,
Jesus is mighty to save;
From the uttermost, to the uttermost,
Mighty to save!
Though as scarlet be the stains,
Jesus is mighty to save;
Though as steel the binding chains,
Jesus is mighty to save.
His the glorious sacrifice;
His the blood which paid the price;
His the love doth now entice;
Jesus is mighty, is mighty to save.
Refrain
Fearful soul, discard thy fears,
Jesus is mighty to save;
Seeker, haste to dry thy tears,
Jesus is mighty to save.
With assurance seek His face,
Doubt no more His love and grace,
Give Him now His rightful place,
Jesus is mighty, is mighty to save.
Refrain
Since His blood for thee was shed,
Jesus is mighty to save;
Since He lives who once was dead,
Jesus is mighty to save.
While in conflict we engage,
When the storms around shall rage,
All our earthly pilgrimage,
Jesus is mighty, is mighty to save.
Refrain
CHRIST IN THE STORM
Manie P. Ferguson,
Over the noise of the tempest,
Over the dash of the wave,
Rings the sweet voice of the Savior;
See, He is mighty to save;
Calmed in a moment the billows,
Hushed in an instant to sleep,
Stilled is the roar of the wild winds,
Steadied their boat on the deep
THE OLD SHIP OF ZION
Mary J Cartwright
O soul, sinking down ’neath sin’s merciless wave,
The strong arm of our captain is mighty to save;
Then trust Him today, no longer delay,
Board the old ship of Zion, and shout on your way:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout and sing on your way: Jesus saves!
TAKE THE WORLD FOR JESUS
J Howard Entwisle
Tell them of Jesus who rose from the grave,
Tell them of Jesus the Mighty to Save;
Plenteous salvation in Him does abound,
Cleansing and healing in Jesus are found.
MY CRUCIFIED SAVIOR
Fredrika Falck
Yea, come, trembling sinner, come just as thou art,
Thy cares and thy sorrows to Jesus impart;
In Him seek salvation from death and the grave,
For Jesus is willing and mighty to save.
PRAISE OUR CREATOR
Fanny Crosby
Praise our creator and Savior eternal,
Him who redeemed us from death and the grave;
Sing of His greatness, O hail and adore Him,
Strong to deliver, and mighty to save.
The following are from Steve Green's MIDI Hymnal...
(1) MIGHTY LOVE—William Batchelder Bradbury
Oh, bliss of the purified, bliss of the free,
I plunge in the crimson tide open’d for me;
O’er sin and uncleanness exulting I stand,
And point to the print of the nails in His hand.
Chorus:
Oh, sing of His mighty love,
Sing of His mighty love,
Sing of His mighty love,
Mighty to save.
Oh, bliss of the purified, Jesus is mine,
No longer in dread condemnation I pine;
In conscious salvation I sing of His grace,
Who lifteth upon me the light of His face.
Oh, bliss of the purified! bliss of the pure!
Now wound hath the soul that His blood cannot cure;
No sorrow-bowed head but may sweetly find rest,
No tears but may dry them on Jesus’ breast.
O Jesus the crucified! Thee will I sing,
My blessed Redeemer, my God and my King,
My soul, filled with rapture, shall shout o’er the grave,
And triumph in death in the Mighty to save.
(2) CLEANSING WAVE—Phoebe Palmer
Oh! Now I see the crimson wave,,
The fountain deep and wide;
Jesus, my Lord, Mighty to save,
Points to His wounded side.
Chorus
The cleansing stream, I see, I see,
I plunge, and oh, it cleanseth me!
Oh! Praise the Lord, it cleanseth me,
It cleanseth me, yes, cleanseth me!
(3) SAFE IN THE LIFE-BOAT—M. L. McPhail
Safe in the life-boat I smile at the wave,
Know no repining or sadness;
Since at my side stands the “Mighty to save,”
His presence fills me with gladness.
(4) Rescue the Perishing by Fanny J. Crosby
Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one,
Lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the Mighty to save.
(5) Speed Away, Speed Away to the Isles of the Sea
SPEED AWAY
Isaac B. Woodbury
Speed away, speed away to the isles of the sea—
To the lands that are calling to you and to me,
Where souls sit in darkness, yet long for the light
Of the, gospel of Jesus to scatter their night.
Oh, hear them, and pity their pleading, I pray,
Speed away, speed away, speed away!
2 Speed away, speed away! There are souls to be won
By the story of God and His Crucified Son.
Go, tell the good news to the lands o’er the wave,
And tell them that Jesus is Mighty to save!
Oh, haste on the mission—there’s death in delay,
Speed away, speed away, speed away!
3 Speed away, speed away with the message of love.
There’s grand work to be done for the Father above.
Go ye forth in His name with the tidings He sends,
Bear the news of God’s love to earth’s uttermost ends.
For the sake of the souls that need saving to-day,
Speed away, speed away, speed away!
1 Ye angels who stand round the throne,
And view my Immanuel’s face,
In rapturous songs make Him known;
O tune your soft harps to His praise.
He formed you the spirits you are,
So happy, so noble, so good;
While others sank down in despair,
Confirmed by His power, ye stood.
2 Ye saints who stand nearer than they,
And cast your bright crowns at His feet,
His grace and His glory display,
And all His rich mercy repeat:
He snatched you from hell and the grave,
He ransomed from death and despair;
For you He was Mighty to save,
Almighty to bring you safe there.
Mighty to Save!
James Smith, 1860
"The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing!" Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord Jesus is not only a Savior — but he is "mighty to save." He saves from sin. He delivers out of trouble. He redeems us from the hands of our enemies. He has delivered his people in all ages; he delivers them now, and he will deliver them until deliverance is no longer needed. It cannot be wrong to trust in him, for it is impossible for him to fail us, his word is promised, his heart is in the work, and he gets great glory by it. As we must employ him or perish, be saved by him or be lost forever, let us consider this representation of him a little.
MARK HIS QUALIFICATIONS. His power is omnipotent. Nothing can for a moment match with it. To still the fears, and draw out the confidence of his people he asks, "Is anything too hard for me?" He can do whatever he will — and do it with ease too.
His blood is infinitely efficacious. It cleanses from all sin, and every sinner who believes on him. It made an infinite atonement for sin, when he shed it on the cross. It retains all its virtue and efficacy at the present moment, and it will do so forever.
His gospel is just adapted to meet our case. It is good news — glad tidings. The good news of a free, full, and everlasting pardon of all sin. The glorious glad tidings that peace with God is made, and that he desires us to be reconciled to him. It proclaims that all debts are cancelled, all demands met, and all supplies provided, for all, and every sinner that believes in Jesus, be he who, or what he may. He has the fullness of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit quickens the dead, sanctifies the unholy, teaches the ignorant, speaks peace to the troubled, and fits the most depraved for Heaven. That Spirit which enlightens the darkened understanding, subdues the stubborn will, elevates the earth-bound affections — also purifies the guilty conscience, and makes us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
Jesus cannot fail in anything he undertakes, as the prophet predicted, "He shall not fail nor be discouraged." He never failed in any case he ever yet undertook, and he never refused to undertake any case that was put into his hands.
He is as gentle as he is powerful, and works gently, though with omnipotent energy. The bruised reed he will not break, and the smoking flax he will not quench; but will strengthen the one, and raise the other until it flames.
He is as gentle as the morning ray, or the evening breeze.
He comes down like the silent dew, or the gentle shower.
He is like the lamb feeding in the pasture, of which no one need to be afraid.
His intercession is constant and prevalent. He makes intercession for the transgressors. He advocates the cause of the sinful, the vile, and the unworthy. The Father always hears him, and awards salvation to every one for whom he pleads.
He has every qualification necessary qualify him to be "mighty to save."
OBSERVE HOW HE HAS PROVED IT. What kind of sinners has he saved? Every kind of sinner — but especially the very worst. The greatest sinner under the Old Testament was Manasseh, and Jesus saved him. The chief sinner under the New Testament was Saul of Tarsus, and Jesus saved him. The greatest sinner will not be found in Hell — but in Heaven; a trophy of grace, a miracle of mercy! The vilest sinners conceivable, have been saved by the Lord Jesus. No sinner can apply to him now — but a greater sinner has applied to him, and been saved by him before.
"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief!" 1 Timothy 1:15. The greatest sinner has been saved already; and this is an encouragement for all who feel themselves desperately wicked, to come to him and be saved by him.
What multitudes he has saved. The preeminence of Jesus will appear, in the number saved, the character of those he has saved, and the way in which he has saved them. None can be too vile to be saved by him. No number can be too great to be saved by him. Multitudes, multitudes, have been saved by this mighty Savior!
How completely he has saved them!
Canceling every sin.
Answering every demand.
Replying to every charge.
Removing every stain.
Making each one as righteous as himself — and as pure as himself. Each one will be a credit to him, and reflect forever the glory of his saving grace.
How Satan trembles before him. He did so in the days of his flesh, and cried out, "I beseech you torment me not." He does much more so now, as he is seated at his Father's right hand, far above all principalities and powers, and every name that is named, not only in this world — but also in that which is to come. Every fallen spirit must . . .
obey his word,
bow to his authority,
and do his bidding.
How the idols of the heathen have fallen before him. Once in the history of Israel, Dagon fell before the ark; but a thousand times in the history of the church, have the idols fallen before this mighty Savior. And they will continue to do so, for "the idols he shall utterly abolish," and set up his kingdom on their ruins.
He still pledges himself to save — to save all that come unto him, for his word is pledged, that he will never cast out. To save all that come unto God by him, to the utmost, and for evermore, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.
Any sinner who will, may be saved by Jesus. Every willing sinner shall be saved by Jesus. He can save, for he is mighty. He will save, for he is love. He has a fullness of saving grace. All he has ever given to the millions whom he has saved, has only been the overflowings of the fountain. As all the water taken from the ocean has not diminished it, for it is still full; so all the grace that has been received from the fullness of Jesus has not diminished it, for it is a fullness of grace still. That fullness of grace he has for sinners, for you, reader, if you need it, if you desire it, if you ask it; and he would sooner exhaust the whole of it, if exhausted it could be, than allow you to perish, however vile you are, if willing to be saved by him.
Lost sinner, try this Mighty Savior. You need salvation. You need just such a Savior. He is exactly suited to you — he can save you. He can save you now. He will save you. He will save you today. Try him. Try him at once!
His blood will cleanse you from all sin.
His grace will render you acceptable to God.
His Spirit will renew your nature.
He will make you fit for Heaven, and take you there.
Believer, trust this Mighty Savior. Trust him and fear not. Trust him . . .
with your soul,
with your body,
with all your concerns,
for earth and for Heaven,
for life and for death,
for time and for eternity!
Trust him to work in you, to work for you, to work with you. Trust him to save you with an everlasting salvation, and he will not disappoint you.
Backslider, return to this Mighty Savior. You have wandered from him. You have basely sinned against him. You deserve to be banished from his presence forever. But he is willing to receive you back, to blot out your sins, to accept your acknowledgment of guilt, and to restore unto you the joy of his salvation. Backsliding soul, come back, come back to Jesus, and be happy!
Let us all unite to speak well or this Mighty Savior, and to recommend him to others. He deserves this at our hands. He desires this of us. He bids us go, and tell others, that he has saved us, and is willing to save them — that he has been a Mighty Savior to us, and will be a Mighty Savior to them, if they come to him.
Let us tell the worst, the vilest, the most hopeless cases, that Jesus is not only Mighty to save — but Almighty, and that he will put forth his Almightiness in them, rather than let them perish, if as guilty, vile, lost, and ruined — they apply to him, heartily willing to be saved by him. O sinner, come, come, come to Jesus, and prove what a Mighty Savior he is, in your own experience!
What an awesome God we are privileged to worship and serve...Dear saint, if your heart needs some encouragement today, then turn off your cell phone, your television, your computer, etc, and slowly, prayerfully read the Word from your Father, written words yes, but GOD'S ACTUAL WORDS, "spoken through Isaiah the prophet" and worship the LORD in spirit and in truth. Amen...
"Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'..."I, even I, am the LORD; and there is no Savior besides Me....Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me....I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other...'Surely, God is with you, and there is none else, No other God.'"...For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God Who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the LORD, and there is none else...."Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.... Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in a pair of scales? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counselor has informed Him?... Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales. Behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust....To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?... To whom would you liken Me, and make Me equal and compare Me, that we should be alike?..."To whom then will you liken Me That I should be his equal?" says the Holy One....Lift up your eyes on high and see Who has created these stars, the One Who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power not one of them is missing....Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary....Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him....I declared the former things long ago And they went forth from My mouth, and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass....Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; before they spring forth I proclaim them to you."....'And who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it; Yes, let him recount it to Me in order, from the time that I established the ancient nation. And let them declare to them the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place.....Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning And from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'...Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me....Therefore I declared them to you long ago, Before they took place I proclaimed them to you. I proclaim to you new things from this time, even hidden things which you have not known....I am He, I am the first, I am also the last. Surely My hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand together. Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth! Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and will have compassion on His afflicted....Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands....I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea and its waves roar (the LORD of hosts is His name)....The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God. Depart, depart, go out from there, touch nothing unclean; Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD....As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities...."No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD. "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost....My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts....Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short that it cannot save; Neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear....Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you...Who is this Who comes from Edom, with garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, This One Who is majestic in His apparel, marching in the greatness of His strength? "It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save....For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, Whose name is Holy, "I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite....Oh, that Thou wouldst rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at Thy presence..."I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, 'Here am I, here am I,' To a nation which did not call on My name...."For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind....Thus says the LORD, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?"...Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at His word. (Amen!) (Isaiah 46:9-10, 43:11, 44:6, 45:5-6, 45:14, 45:18, 45:21-22, 40:12, 13, 40:15, 40:18, 46:5 40:25, 26, 40:28-31, 40:10, 48:3, 42:9, 44:7, 46:9-10, 45:21, 48:5-6, 12, 13, 49:13, 16, 51:15, 52:10, 11, 53:11, 54:17, 55:1, 55:8, 9, 59:1, 60:1, 63:1, 57:15, 64:1, 65:1, 17, 66:1, 66:5) (Now take a moment to worship our indescribably majestic Lord God with Robin Mark's wonderful song Days of Elijah)
Behold He comes riding on the clouds
Shining like the Sun at the trumpet call;
Lift your voice, it's the Year of Jubilee
And out of Zion's hill Salvation comes.