* Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
    His faithful love endures forever. 
Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
    Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south.
Psalm 107:1-3 NLT

Redeemed. It's defined as 'being bought back, to regain possession of, a ransom'. It was often used in reference to a slave. Nowadays, not too many people view themselves as slaves, so perhaps it's challenging to get a clear picture of being redeemed. Have you ever thought about it? What does it mean to you - to be redeemed?   

Those who are enslaved have no control over their lives, especially not over the bad things in their lives... and frequently, not over the good, either. Slaves cannot get away from the state they're in. If they try to escape, they are severely beaten, sometimes to death. But their freedom can be purchased, bought with a price.

Do you know what we've been redeemed from? Think back... We were slaves to our sin. That's right. Christ's body on the Cross was the purchase price for our freedom - our redemption - from the power that sin had in our lives. We could not do it through the law. We could not do it in and of ourselves. God tells us in His Word,  I swept away your rebellions like a cloud, and your sins like fog. Return to me, because I have redeemed you.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.  Has the Lord redeemed you? King James then reads, Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

Prayer:

Father,

       Oftentimes, we gloss over the heart and depth of the meaning in Your Word. Take us to the meat of it where we may feast and be strengthened to encourage others. Illuminate Your Word, O God! Let us see clearly to be able to passionately proclaim that we are the redeemed of the Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen