"But now, this is what the Lord says-he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you: I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;.' "
-Isaiah 43: 1-3

Redeemed

What does it mean to be redeemed? I looked up the word in the dictionary and here is what I found...'to buy back or pay off, to obtain the release or restoration as from captivity by paying a ransom, to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.' WOW! How wonderful to have a Lord that was willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice to redeem us. In Isaiah 43: 1 we read "But now, this is what the Lord says-he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you: I have summoned you by name; you are mine." Listen to what this great verse is telling us...'fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name, you are mine!' God knows us, He knows you by name! He has 'paid your ransom.' He has 'made the sacrifice' for you and me. We are His! Thank you Lord for redeeming us.

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace..." (Ephesians 1: 7) Only people who have been redeemed have hope! We need to share that hope with others. "...giving thanks to the Father, who qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1: 12-14) Have you been redeemed? Do you truly believe that God through His Son has redeemed you? If the answer is 'yes,' then you are a part of the 'kingdom of light.' You are rescued from the 'dominion of darkness.' Your sins are forgiven, praise the Lord! So I challenge you to go and live your live as one who has freedom that comes from redemption. "...I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." (Isaiah 42: 5-7) Let your life be a 'light for all people,' to 'open the eyes of the blind,' a life that helps to 'free captives from prisons,' and encourages the 'release of those who sit in dungeons of darkness.' Thank the Lord for His grace and redemption. Then live your life as one who has been redeemed. Amen!

Take a moment and encourage someone this week.

I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough

"This is what God the Lord says-he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 'I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.' "
-Isaiah 42: 5-7

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