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Delivered from All That Would Destroy Us

Scripture: Psalms 144-145, Mark 3.

Gospel summary: God is our great deliverer who comes to the rescue of his children. He has personally come in Jesus of Nazareth to release us from bondage to Satan, reverse the effects of the fall, cleanse us from all sin, and call us to be his own special people who carry his gospel to the world.

Prayer: Father in heaven, praise be to your glorious name. You are so worthy, for you alone have come to my rescue and delivered my soul from sin, Satan, and all suffering. Thank you that you didn't sit up in the heavens and expect me to deliver myself, but that you came to deliver me yourself in the person of Jesus. God, I am such a rebel against your will and do not have the power to live for Christ, but I give you glory for saving me, and at great cost to yourself...the shame and suffering of the Son of God at the hands of your enemies. I thank you that Jesus is the stronger Man who binds up Satan the strong man and before whom even the demons tremble, for this means there is no enemy of my soul that can ultimately defeat me. I thank you that in Christ you came to inaugurate your kingdom when you healed people and that you're coming again in Christ to consummate it where there will never again be any disease, depravity, demons, or death. Give me grace in this world to constantly cling to Jesus and rejoice in the deliverance he has accomplished for me. Help me to pass on this saving message to others who are currently bound by the devil, under a load of sins, and headed for divine judgment. May you receive glory from my life this day Jesus, amen.

Key verse: "How blessed are the people who are so situated; how blessed are the people whose God is Yahweh" (Psalm 144:15).

Hymn: "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" by Charles Wesley

Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee.  
Israel's strength and consolation, 
hope of all the earth thou art; 
dear desire of every nation, 
joy of every longing heart. 

Born thy people to deliver, 
born a child and yet a King, 
born to reign in us forever, 
now thy gracious kingdom bring. 
By thine own eternal spirit 
rule in all our hearts alone; 
by thine all sufficient merit, 
raise us to thy glorious throne. 

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