Galatians 3:23--4:7; Psalm 61

Galatians 3:23-4:7
Because of our faith in Jesus Christ, we have been born into God's family, and we are therefore His children. We have "put on Christ, like putting on new clothes." vv. 26-27  No child of God is more important to Him that any other one.  This was an important lesson for the Jewish people to learn. Historians tell us that some Jewish men from Bible times greeted each new day by praying, "Lord, I thank  you that I am not a Gentile, a slave, or a woman." And so Paul emphasizes here that "...you are all one in Christ Jesus." All believers are heirs of the promises God made to Abraham. v. 29

In Galatians 4, Paul uses the illustration of slavery to show that before Christ came and died for our sins, people were like slaves in bondage to the law. They thought they could be saved by keeping it, but they found that they could not keep it. The reality is that people before Christ were saved the same way we are--by faith in the coming promise. Now that the "promise" has already come, we have faith in Jesus. And now we are no longer slaves but members of the family!

vv. 4-7 are beautiful verses which clearly show us God's plan for our salvation. "But when the right time came, God sent his son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, 'Abba, Father.' Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir."

Psalm 61
Perhaps David was far from home when he wrote, "From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help...Lead me to the towering rock of safety,..." Remember that God is not limited by geographic places. He never abandons us, and we can call on Him at any time. And not only that, He has the power to protect us and rescue us!

In vv. 6-8 David prays specifically for himself as King of Israel. He asks for God's unfailing love and faithfulness, and he promises to sing praises to God's name forever. We have a personal God who cares about our circumstances as well. Let's follow David's example in faith, prayer, and praise.