Drinking the Cup of Salvation

The Easter season is a special time for believers to be reflective regarding their faith. It is a time to embrace the Lord to be strengthened by Him.

We need to embrace the Lord and remember our covenant relationship with Him every day of our lives. More and more we can see how this world is temporal, fragile, and passing away. I think this is especially true when one starts to become older; people pass away. I have friends and family who have gone to be with the Lord. I imagine this is also true for you. “…Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (Revelation 14:13) “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15)

In Psalm 116, the psalmist gives thanks to God for His mercy and deliverance from death—both in body and spirit. “For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 116:8-9) I thank the Lord for my years lived and I trust Him for my years ahead. This fall will mark forty years that I have been walking with the Lord; God holds onto us. I believe we need to do our best in holding onto God, as well. We can be thankful for His grace in our lives. God is faithful and we need to do our best at being faithful in return.

During the Last Supper, Jesus picked up the cup of wine and declared this cup to be the cup of the new covenant. His sacrificial death and shedding of blood made atonement possible for our sins. This cup of salvation is a picture of the new covenant, which in reality is the saints entering into a state of marriage betrothal to Jesus their heavenly bridegroom. In heaven, there will be a wedding banquet. Psalm 116:13 declares: “I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.” We need to always remember the death and resurrection of our Lord, and look forward to his return.

There is power in the words we speak. “Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him: ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.’” (Hosea 14:2) This was my own experience when I was eighteen years old. I prayed on the floor of my bedroom with a short prayer. The following day I felt new life from the Holy Spirit and had an understanding and revelation of God. I am still learning to walk with the Lord in a closer way. God seems to providentially allow me to find books of truth, guidance, and encouragement. I want to encourage you to pick up and drink from the cup of salvation. My prayer is for you to be strong in your body, mind, and spirit. God is calling you to salvation, but first you need to come just as you are in faith.

God loves you and He wants you to love every person you meet. We are all equal and loved by God. ~Charlie DeTellis