Today's Devotional
December 18, 2006
Subject: What Is A Savior?
Isaiah 19:20 - "And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them."
When reviewing basic biblical terms and concepts, I often try to capture an infinite God's mind by applying His words to my finite thoughts on the matter; for instance this term savior. What is a savior? This is how I realize some of the things a savior is.
I've been a longtime Texas Longhorn football fan. However I never believed that they could win a National Championship, until their "savior" showed up that is. Vince Young was an outstanding quarterback who entered the program and did amazing things. As their "savior" his ability so affected the program at UT that everyone around him had a new hope for a national championship and this motivated and improved their play. Of course the Longhorns realized their championship in dramatic fashion early this year and their "savior" went on to the NFL where he is now doing great things.
Here are a few things a savior does:
(1) Creates hope - because the Savior has ability and power to rescue, we are hopeful and not dismayed by circumstances. It could be hope for healing, hope for emotional strength, hope for freedom or anything that from which we need to escape. Often behind in the 4th quarter of football games, Vince Young would bring his team back. In the 4th quarter of life, our Savior does the same and we believe that He will always win in the end.
(2) Changes behavior - because of the Savior's ability, it makes the rest of the team "play" better. Our behavior will ultimately reflect the principles of our Savior. If we believe in our Savior, we will do what He requires for us to win. Vince Young's inspiration affected his teammates and they simply played better because they believed in him. With Christ, we know that He will pull us through if we simply follow His lead.
(3) Finishes the work - the Savior is the Savior because He ultimately fulfills all of the hopes and dreams that we had. Had Vince Young never won the national championship with the Longhorns, he would've been viewed as a great quarterback, but that was all. The hopes and dreams were for a team national championship, not merely individual achievement. We likewise have a greater hope than just our personal goals. It is a hope for all of His people, the church and this He will finish.
Still none of this could fully capture what our Savior truly is, but this gives us some things to think about as we attempt to capture the infinite mind of God and why He would send us a Savior.
