Redeemed

We’re just wrapping up the letter “R” this week and the word laid on my heart is:

From the free online dictionary, REDEEMED can mean:

1. To recover ownership of by paying a specified sum.

2. To pay off (a promissory note, for example).

3. To turn in (coupons, for example) and receive something in exchange.

4. To fulfill (a pledge, for example).

5. To convert into cash: redeem stocks.

6. To set free; rescue or ransom.

7. To save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences.

8. To make up for: The low price of the clothes dryer redeems its lack of special features.

9. To restore the honor, worth, or reputation of: You botched the last job but can redeem yourself on this one.

REDEEMED isn’t just saved. You see, our freedom from our sinful selves was at a price. You and I have WORTH, we have VALUE, and God valued us so much that He was willing to sacrifice for us. Our God is a holy God. He requires that our sinfulness be washed clean. Through confession in Christ as our savior we accept his gift of salvation and the RANSOM he has paid for our freedom.

The scripture tells us that you and I are redeemed. What does that mean? Here is a little insight from Isaiah.

Isaiah 43:1-4, MSG

[ When You’re Between a Rock and a Hard Place ] But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.

I love how this scripture speaks to how much God values me. That he paid a huge price for me and that he’ll trade creation just for me. I need to hear this when I’m up all night with a sick child and I’m covered in spit-up. Or when my little guy wakes me in the middle of the night and the next day I can barely keep my eyes open. Or when I doubt my ability to teach and to train these little ones the life skills they’ll need to make it in this world and I want to give up. But God promises to be with me, to help me, and I am His. God knows we can’t make it without Him. He wants to be our “personal God.” He wants to be our friend – the one we confide in and spend time with. He wants us to draw close to Him.

You are his beloved. You are redeemed. Not only did He rescue his people from Egypt, through them He sent his Son Jesus to die for all of us so that we might be reconciled to Him and redeemed to reside forever in His presence.

Galatians 3:14

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The Spirit. The Holy Spirit that can live us and through us and help us every moment of our day.
I pray rest and refreshment for you today. That you might feel His enduring love and redeeming power in your life. And that this would bring your spirit the rest and refreshment you need to make it this week and not just survive, but THRIVE in your mommy-hood..

In His Grip,