Delivered to Salvation

"But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me" [Micah 7:7 (NIV)]

Our devotion in the book, "Red Letter Advent," tells of the expedition to Antarctica by Ernest Shackelford during which he had to knowingly leave some men behind. He said he would be back for them, and after about 130 days, he returned. He was surprised when he returned because the men were there, all packed and ready. 

When he inquired, one responded that every day, the leader of the group left behind would rise, roll up his bed roll, and say, "Let's get ready because the 'the boss may come today.'" What a great story about a mindset of being prepared for a return you truly believe will happen in spite of the worst conditions possible. 

Micah was filled with hope about deliverance and salvation from a land full of "sinful conditions." [Lutheran Study Bible notes: The notes further explain the idea of "salvation:" "Salvation. Hebrew yeshu‘ah, “deliverance.” Sometimes translated as “victory” because of military imagery. God defeated Pharaoh and his army during the exodus, and subsequently conquered all enemies that would separate His people from Him. His righteousness is victorious over wickedness, and thus salvation comes to His people solely because of Him. See “redeem” and “deliver”. Chemnitz: “In the Psalms for the first time the word yāsha, from which is derived the name ‘Jesus’ begins to be used in reference to the matter of salvation” (LTh 2:458)."]

Micah, who lived at the time of Isaiah the prophet, links his hope to our God who has delivered salvation to a people in bondage in Egypt, and he will deliver the people who are in bondage to sin. This victory, "yeshua," came in the form of Jesus (yeshua), who will return one day. Our victory is won in Christ as well, and we wait and find our hope in this message of hope as well.

Pray with me: Gracious God, you are a God of hope. You have given us hope through the salvation won through your Son Jesus Christ. This hope is to be shared with those who do not know you, so that they too may enjoy the same hope as we wait for your return. Help us to share this good news. In Christ's name, Amen.