He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. 2 Samuel 22:20

Why did God rescue his son, why was he a delight? The answer given prophetically from David and therefore from God is found in verses 22-24 both positively and negatively.

“For I have kept the ways of the LORD.
For all his rules were before me.
I was blameless before him,
I have not wickedly departed from my God.
From his statutes I did not turn aside.
I kept myself from guilt.”

Isn’t this wonderful. Jesus himself speaking personally through David

“I was blameless,” Jesus was the perfect sacrifice.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

Let’s look briefly at the wonder of this…sorry I can’t go into this in depth.

That he didn’t sin is a settled and undeniable fact, but could he have sinned? Was there any way in which it would have been possible for him to have sinned or was it in every way impossible that he should ever have transgressed? Or, to use theological terms, was Jesus impeccable (incapable of sinning), or peccable (capable of sinning, although remaining sinless)?

Was Jesus Christ sinless because he could not sin or because he would not sin? Was he constitutionally incapable of sinning or merely volitionally unwilling to sin? To say that Jesus could have sinned, even though he did not, is to say he was peccable. To say that Jesus could not have sinned, and therefore didn’t, is to say he was impeccable.

Complicated huh! It’s causing my little grey cells to ache and is a huge theological debate. I personally believe that Jesus chose not to sin, that in his humanity he was tempted in every way but overcame by the work of the Spirit.

So to continue, Jesus is our Saviour because of who he was and because of his own complete obedience to His Father’s will (Hebrews 10:5-7).

He is also an example for us, of what is possible in a human life, demonstrated by his own total dependence upon the Spirit of God. Jesus is living proof of how those, who are his followers, may go beyond the limitations of their humanness in order that they, like him, might carry to completion against all odds their God-given mission in life through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus demonstrated clearly God’s intended way for human beings to live, the ideal way to live, the supremely successful way to live in conjunction with God, in harmony with God, in touch with the power of God, and not apart from God, not independent of God, not without God. The Spirit was the presence and power of God in Jesus and is so for us.

Please can I move on? The trouble with all of this is, that you might argue that Jesus merited his rescue but we will never merit ours. True!

Scripture uncompromisingly says that no one is righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10). It states that Jesus is the only righteous one and that all our righteousness are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). That it is only through the cleansing from sin and the imputation of His righteousness that we can be rescued. Now the prophesy of David becomes even more wonderful and he prophesies about a salvation of grace not of works.

The tone of this song, becomes very personal in verses 26-30. Before David sang about God now he speaks to God. He sings about the fruit of our deliverance, our fruit, our blessing. David is speaking about you and I.

You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down. 2 Samuel 22:28

Paul says, God is just in all his ways and justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26). So let’s look at the incredible benefits.

Jesus will lead us and guide us (Lamp vs 29). Jesus will strengthen us (Run, leap vs 30). It’s not just saved and hold on until you get to heaven. He renews our hearts, we become humble (vs 28). He renews our minds, bringing light in the darkness (vs 29). He gives us power (vs 30). Jesus did not just obtain a blessing for himself, he secured these blessings for his people. God wishes to bless you because it’s part of your secured salvation. So let’s finish with a good old Charles Wesley hymn written in May 1738. He asks the question do I deserve to be blessed? Then he answers it.

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.