I'm still hoping to hear from UTA soon. I applied for two more jobs today.
4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah 5 That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us!
In spite of being rejected by God and having their defenses broken, David affirms that God has still set up a place of refuge. In this case, it's a "banner." I don't know much about ancient war strategies, but can you imagine being on the losing end of a battle, down on the battlefield, in what appears to be chaos? Then you look up and, not to far away, you see the banner of your king! You know, then that there is refuge! You have a place to which you can run! One of the names of God is "Yahweh Nissi." "The LORD is my banner!" Even in times when God is disciplining us, there will be a place of refuge. His salvation is sure. His loved ones will be delivered.
22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Peter is inspired by Isaiah 53 in this passage.
From Tabletalk Magazine: "Isaiah 53 looks to the day when the son of David would be offered up to satisfy the wrath of God in place of David's line. In bearing the sin of David's line, He would also bear the wrath of God against the sin of all who trust David's son, providing for the salvation of the world. Christ Jesus, Peter notes, is that substitute (1 Peter 2:24). He suffered the curse of God that sinners have earned and provided for the healing of our souls now and of our bodies in the world to come (Deut. 12:23; Gal. 3:13). The sins of we who trust Christ have been imputed to Him, God has condemned sin in Jesus' flesh (Rom. 8:3), and consequently we no longer need to fear eternal damnation."
Can I get a "hallelujah?"
"Our lives and worship are transformed forever when by grace we realize that while God owes us nothing but wrath, He has executed His wrath not on those who trust Christ but on Jesus Himself. We should be the most joyful of all people because of our great salvation. This joy does not deny the reality of our trials but is a deep abiding peace and knowledge that God has delivered us and will bring us into the fulness of His kingdom."
Joy. It's different from happy. We won't always be happy. But joy...it's deeper. And it's not always visible. I need to cultivate that joy, though. I can feel joy in my spirit. It's not "bubbly." It's kind of a warm, fuzzy feeling in the area of my heart. And it most definitely can provide what we call "goose bumps."
And I thank you, God, that your banner is always near by. You never leave us or forsake us, and even when we are experiencing a form of your discipline, we can rest assured that your banner or fortress or hiding place is very close...a place to which we can run and be safe from the attacks of our enemy.
May your name be glorified in all the earth!
Grace and peace, friends!