Redemption

"In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of our trespasses,

according to the riches of His grace."

~ Ephesians 1:7 ~

Redemption. Such a perfect picture of who our God is and what He has done for us. The Word of God tells us time and time again, that Christ is our Redeemer.

I heard someone say yesterday that as believers we should be more concerned with redemption than with perfection.

How often do we truly think about what this means for us as believing women - The fact that we have been redeemed by Christ?

I do not know that I have ever before been totally head-over-heels in love with a definition out of the dictionary. A passage of Scripture? Yes. A good novel? Yes. But a definition out of the dictionary? Not often - Ok fine, never. I am however, in love with the meaning of redeem.

Redeem - 1a: to buy back: repurchase. 1b: to get or win back 2: to free from what distresses or harms: as a: to free from captivity by payment of ransom b: to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c: to release from blame or debt: clear d: to free from the consequences of sin 3: to change for the better: reform 4: repair, restore 5a: to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby b(1): to remove the obligation of by payment (2): to exchange for something of value c: to make good: fulfill 6a: to atone for: expiate b(1): to offset the bad effect of b(2): to make worthwhile: retrieve. Synonyms: rescue, deliver, ransom, reclaim, save.

How about you? Have you been redeemed? If so, are you living the life of a redeemed one? Living as if you have been freed from captivity ... released from debt ... freed from the consequences of sin ... repaired ... reformed ... restored?

Or have you, like many, fallen slave to perfection?

Re-read the above definition for redeem, then ponder the following Scriptures today:

"And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last day He will take His stand on the earth." (Job 19:25)

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us ... " (Galatians 3:13)

"Their Redeemer is strong, the Lord of hosts is His name; He will vigorously plead their case, so that He may bring rest to the earth ..." (Jeremiah 50:34)

You, my dear friend, were fought for. Christ defeated death over your sweet life. You owe your past not one thing - not one obligation, payment, or amount. You are free and clear. Atoned for. Made worthwhile. Ransomed. You are redeemed.

May you live by redemption, sweet one, not by perfection.

I have not been perfected. I have however, been redeemed.

Perfectly Redeemed. By Jesus Christ, my Redeemer.

In our neediness ...

"I will abundantly bless her provision;

I will satisfy her poor with bread."

~ Psalm 132:15 (NKJV) ~

The I will's of God. Promises to stand on. Truths to claim. Words to live by.

This particular verse is aimed at Zion. Verses 13 & 14 in the same Psalm reveal to us just how important the place (and the people) of Zion were to God: "For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. 'This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.'"

Where God rests, there is indeed abundant satisfaction - Isn't there?

I love how the New American Standard version translates the latter part of the above verse: "I will satisfy her needy with bread" (Ps. 132:15b).

And I just got to thinking about the concept of "neediness." The people of Zion He is referring to here in Scripture were labeled "poor" by God - He knew they were lacking in one area or another, and here in this passage He is promising to be attentive to their needs.

You and I are much like the people of Zion. We are poor. We are lacking in one area or another. Deep in need of God's attentiveness.

God knows what type of bread we need for fulfillment. He knows better than anyone what type of bread will truly satisfy us. He will not give us a stone when we are in deep need of some water.

Can I ask you this afternoon what you are needy for? Are you in need of affection, of purpose, of direction? Perhaps you are in need of support, of encouragement, of forgiveness ...

Whatever your need, God is the One who is desiring to abundantly fulfill that void. Run to Him with your neediness, take Him at His Word, and stand firmly upon His I will's.

Additional verses to ponder on this topic: Satisfaction found in God ...

Psalm 107:9
Psalm 147:14
Psalm 145:15-16