By Laurie Langdon
Two types of deliverance
It goes without saying that life can be tragic, not unlike what Paul the Apostle had to go through.
He who had many troubles and was under great pressure, far beyond his ability to endure, so that he despaired of life itself. He once wrote, “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” (2 Cor. 1:10-11)
There are two types of deliverance: from something and into something.
Deliverance from something
To be delivered from something means that I am carried out of or caused to escape from something unsafe. I, who was once in danger, have been placed in a better place. I am secure.
My world is filled with stories of deliverance. Whether it relates to depression, addiction, demon possession, fear, guilt, etc., stories abound of people everywhere who have been and continue to be set free. The dangerous, oppressive and harmful places they were once in no longer have them in their grip. The restrictions they once knew have been removed, since they have been brought to Jesus – to the place where, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Mt. 11:5)
Deliverance into something
Another type of deliverance happens when I am delivered, not only from something, but into something.
I love the words of Isaiah, the prophet, who wrote, “’Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?’ says the Lord.
“’Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?’ says your God.
“’Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.’” (Isa. 66:9-11)
When a child is delivered (given birth), he or she is brought into being. The natal process is complete, the travail of childbirth has finished its course and a new life, with all its expectant joy and promise, has begun.
Oh, the baby was not in a bad place where bad things were happening to him/her. On the contrary, everything necessary to his/her birth, growth and development was taking place there. It was a good and necessary place.
Similarly, while my situation in life may not be ideal or appealing, everything that is happening here is complementary to me. And, even though bad things seem to be happening to me, what is really happening is that everything necessary to my delivery, growth and development is being supplied. It is a good place and it is a necessary place, for I am being prepared in that place.
But then comes the critical point of delivery. It’s called Heaven!
In Heaven, all that is in God’s heart is fully manifested. Every work is completed, the restored fellowship of his creation has been accomplished and everything for which he and his people travailed has been completed.
The full effect of the death, resurrection and glorification of Jesus Christ has been realized, the labour pains are finally and fully ended and his children are literally and eternally in his presence.
Similarly, I have God’s pledge that the promises conceived in my spirit by his spirit will be fully manifested. Also, every work attempted will be completed in the manner and in the time frame that God determines that it will be completed. I will be given the desire of my heart, which is this: the full measure of his presence and the full expression of his purposes in my world. Everything I have prayed and worked and hoped for will be done and the objectives of my life will be completed.
The death, resurrection and glorification of Jesus Christ is now, and always will be, in full effect and fully realized. I have the confidence that, when my “labour pains” are finally and fully ended, the effect of the life I have lived will be finally and fully realized, and I will know the blessedness of dwelling literally and eternally in his presence.
And, while I may not see all this with my natural eyes before I leave this earth, I will most certainly see it in eternity.
