Dear Family:
During my personal study his morning, I read the following scripture, concentrating on the phrase “The Lord is … my deliverer.”
“The Lord is my arock, and my bfortress, and my deliverer; my God, my cstrength, in whom I will dtrust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
The definition of “deliver” includes:
- to set free or liberate: The Israelites were delivered from bondage.
- to give birth to: She delivered twins at 4 a.m.
- to surrender (someone or something) to another; hand over: delivered the criminal to the police.
The origin of the word is from ME delivren < OF delivrer < LL dēlīberāre to set free.
Just think – to “deliver” is to “set free.” This theme is prevalent throughout the scriptures. Moses led the children of Israel to freedom. Lehi led his family to freedom. Brigham Young led the early saints to freedom. They were all empowered by the great deliverer, Jesus Christ. I think all those examples were put in the scriptures to lead us to Christ and the great acts of delivery he offered - the atonement and resurrection that set us free.
At each stage of our lives, we are delivered to freedom, if we are willing:
- Physical birth is delivery - setting a new baby free to experience earth life after having kept his or her first estate
- Death is delivery - setting a mortal free from the physical pain and limitations of this life
- Resurrection is delivery - setting the entire soul (spirit and body) free to enjoy the benefits of immortality
- Exaltation is delivery - setting the soul free to enjoy the life of God
In order for us to be exalted, we must “deliver” our hearts to Christ. Through this act of faith, we surrender that which we hold most precious, to him. In return, he will “deliver” us to a great life of freedom in eternity.
Love,
Dad
