In the well-known Christmas carol O Come, O come, Emmanuel, the author writes mournfully about the exile of Israel. He grieves with those in captive waiting, longing, and anticipating the coming Messiah, Emmanuel, as we read in the first verse:
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
In this beautiful, but haunting expression of the author’s portrayal of Israel pining for it’s Savior, He imagines what it must have been like for the people of God during their exile waiting for their Messiah, knowing that then they would finally be free from their pain and bondage.
We know that Jesus did come. He came to set all the captives free (Is. 61:1), including us. Israel knew that when the Messiah came, they would be free from their sin and enslavement. They knew the yoke of the enemy would be cast down and the Messiah would be their Savior. But, do we know that?
Jesus came to set us free from the bondage and yoke of the enemy, but many of us are living as though we’re still waiting for the Messiah to come set us free. But He already has! He has set us free! He has saved us! He has delivered us and healed us – past tense! It’s our job to believe and receive what he has done for us. Who’s report are we going to believe – the report (Word) of the Lord or the report (lies) of the enemy?
Remember what Jesus said on the cross just before he died? He said, “It is finished!” What was the “it?” Everything we will ever need was secured for us by Jesus’ death on the cross. That’s the “it.” We have been redeemed! We are no longer slaves, declares the Word, “Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free,” (John 8:32) and “Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed” (John 8:36).
So, rejoice! Rejoice in your salvation and freedom. Phil 4:4 encourages us to, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Receive Jesus’ atonement for your sin and walk in the freedom he paid for. No longer live like you’re waiting for your Messiah, but lift your head and see the goodness of the Lord. Walk in all that He accomplished for you. Receive the salvation, freedom and joy He offers you. Receive that He is all you need and you have all you need in Him. Live like you are a child of the Most High God, seated with Him in heaven, because you ARE!
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth. Ps 121:1-2.
The Christmas song we sing each year declares how Israel will rejoice when her Deliverer comes, and YOUR Deliverer has already come, so REJOICE!
Ps 68:3 exhorts us to “… let the godly rejoice.
Let them be glad in God’s presence.
Let them be filled with joy.”
So, sisters, live in His presence, be grateful for all He has completed for us, walk in the bounty He has provided to us, and fulfill the destiny he has planned with us, through Him.
REJOICE!
Article Written By: Kim Shattell
