“Redeemed” - Every. Single. Day.
“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.’” – Isaiah 43:1
Well, y’all, I got it wrong – again. I made a mistake. Fortunately, it wasn’t the sort of mistake where anyone got hurt, but it was careless. I felt that I’d let down some people who are very special to me, and I was plenty mad at myself.
It came to light early on Christmas morning – a time I’d been anticipating for a couple of weeks. Having enjoyed our big family gathering a few days prior, I was looking forward to rising before dawn, enjoying a big mug of coffee, and basking in the glow of Christmas tree lights. The quiet, worshipful morning of reflection and thanksgiving that I had envisioned was about to unfold, and my heart was happy.
Except that’s not what happened. Out of nowhere, a random thought came to mind, and I realized my mistake! Again, while it was basically inconsequential to anyone else, it was a careless misstep on my part that I should have realized far sooner than I had. And at this point, there was no fixing it. Anger and disappointment flooded over me. But even worse was the voice of the enemy: “You got it wrong.”
That accusation began to run through my head on repeat. It was loud and pervasive. I felt helpless and ashamed and weak. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks – and sweet Jesus captured them in His bottle (Psalm 56:8). Then came the lifeline of Scripture whispering to my heart: “…Take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) My strong God was pulling me out of the clutches of the enemy and into His comforting arms by the power of His Word. He countered the accusation with this reminder.
“You will get it wrong – again and again. You will let people down sometimes. You will face enemy attacks. But for every misstep and mistake, don’t misunderstand – none of that changes My love for you. This day – Christmas Day – is to remind you that I came to earth to complete a transaction – My righteousness for your sin. I knew when I died on that cross for you that you would get it wrong sometimes – sometimes a lot – and I did it anyway because nothing you do can stop Me from loving you. I came to be your Redeemer, and it is finished.”
Eventually, the tears stopped. But God’s comfort continued. He prompted a good friend to leave a voice message that “just so happened” to minister to me right where the hurt was. My compassionate husband listened with tenderness when I told him about the pre-dawn fiasco that had occurred while he had been sleeping. Christmas messages throughout the day ultimately returned me to the place where my heart belonged – joy in my Redeemer.
On Christmas night, I carried my heart to His throne in prayer and thanked Him for His faithful lovingkindness when I get it wrong – in fact, especially when I get it wrong. At the end of the day, the hiss of the enemy was drowned out by Jesus’ proclamation: “You’re mine, and you’re redeemed.”
That’s a reminder that I need. Every. Single. Day. I was a slave to sin, and the ransom was high. But God took the initiative to rescue me through the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of His Son. Jesus willingly made the trade – His life for mine. He redeemed me.
So if you’re looking for me in 2025 (and until I breathe heaven’s air), you’ll find me humbly and gratefully living under the banner He’s placed over me – “Redeemed.” It’s a banner He longs to see flying over all who get it wrong – and who run to Him in repentance and faith.
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“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:22-24
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” – Ephesians 1:7-8
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” – 1 Peter 1:18-19
“…You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20
