"All of them will answer and say to you: You too have become as weak as we [the fallen kings of the earth]! You have become like us!"

God defeats Satan. He is cast down at the end of time, but his overthrow is perpetual in the earth. God delivers His elect from his evil grip and power. The blinders are removed, and we see he's defeated.

He oppressed us, like the King of Babylon oppressed the nations. He threatened us and abused us like a lumberjack tearing down a forest. He held us captive, and we found no relief.

Isaiah 14:3-4, "When the LORD has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, the insolent fury ceased!"

Isaiah 14:8, "The cypresses rejoice at you, the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since you were laid low, no woodcutter comes up against us."

God comes to us at the time appointed with the ease of grace. He delivers us from bondage.

First, He frees us from the guilt of sin, taking our place upon the cross, saying, "I'll suffer, and then I'll remember their sins no more. I'll pardon those who remain."

Jeremiah 50:20, "In those days and in that time, declares the LORD, iniquity shall be sought in Israel, and there shall be none. And sin in Judah, and none shall be found, for I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant."

Secondly, He relieves the oppression of self trust and self effort. Now, we know grace will get the job done. John 14:14," If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." No longer are we looking to self. We're relying upon God, who's gracious to us freely for Christ's sake. No longer do we see the work as impossible, or something that we must stir up. We know God will do it all. He'll send the Spirit and work the miraculous.

Thirdly, peace and joy are the fruit. Power over sin comes. We rest and enjoy confidence in God and the fruit of the Spirit. We are suddenly at our destination, after a long night of toil [John 6:21].

→ The grace of God in Christ is the sweetest thing to happen to us. Our souls are free!