A Package Deal

April 15

(Psalm 37:39-40 NIV) “The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. {40} The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.”

(Joel 2:28-32 NIV) "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. {29} Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. {30} I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. {31} The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. {32} And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls.”

Perhaps the greatest blessings from God are salvation and deliverance. And if you want proof that God’s blessing does not always translate into “the abundant life”, it’s found in these verses. God promises to deliver us “IN” times of trouble. How can God possibly be a stronghold in times of trouble, if blessing from God means a trouble free life? We all need the salvation that comes from the Lord. Without it, everything we call “blessing” is meaningless. Is Jesus your stronghold in time of trouble? Have you taken refuge in him? Have you been saved? Is there something you need to be delivered from today? Do you want the blessings God has in store for you here on this earth and for eternity? Come to Jesus. The ultimate blessing from God comes in His gift of grace to us. God wants to deliver you and save you. Will you accept His salvation and deliverance? It’s a package deal. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day