For this week’s Firmly Rooted Friday, Claudia shares with us what it means that we have a strong Redeemer in Jesus.

The Power of a Strong Redeemer

This past summer our family enjoyed a lovely summer day at the beach on a military installation. As we sat soaking in the sun there was a real gun battle going on adjacent to our beach. It was a “swift boat” rescue operation, and they were loud! We could hear the boats moving quickly and the live-fire was even louder. A serious rescue op was going down. But, you know what? Not one of us thought that was odd, except my niece. She thought it was very odd, lol! As women associated with the military, we understand what a real rescue mission looks like. We know they are loud and scary because you are coming against a feisty enemy to reclaim your property or territory. 

It is the same with our souls; we need to be rescued again and again. Praise God we have a strong Redeemer! 

“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

I Corinthians 15: 54-55 ESV

Last year brought death to my doorstep a few times. I wasn’t ready for any of it. The sadness was real to me and I hated everything about it. I watched as many of my friends lost loved ones and my sadness matched theirs. It was difficult for me to grasp the hope we as believers have because I missed my loved ones. My heart hurt for my friends because I was familiar with the same ache. 

But we have a string Redeemer who has promised to bring nothing but victory even over death and the grave. And we can count on it. Redemption is real for those who believe. God will take our tears and turn them into rivers of delight. Look for it. 

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.”

Job 19:25 ESV

Our Strong Redeemer Rescues Us

Thinking in the realm of eternity is no easy task when we live in the now. When my sweet grandgirl was two, she started saying, “no thank you!” At first glance, this looks sweet and polite. However, her “no thank you” was usually a response to, “Amber put your shoes on” or “time to take a nap.” In context the “no thank you” was not as nearly cute. I will confess, I did giggle a bit when she would say it. I couldn’t help it; she is adorable. Not my fault they make such cute GrandDufflings! 

But context matters. So when we choose to look at our lives in the context of eternity everything changes. Our Redeemer becomes a bit taller and stronger. In the light of eternity, our Redeemer becomes our Savior and we will trust him into eternity. The truth of this Scripture swallows up the desires of our hearts and makes us long to be like Jesus. And we will absolutely be just like him, standing in a redeemed victory!

 “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Colossians 1:13-14 ESV

The power of redemption is that it is not constrained by time and space.

When we are redeemed the Lord reaches back to redeem our past placing it under the blood of Christ. He redeems us as we walk this side of heaven, forgiving us daily, moment by moment. Then the God of the universe propels our redemption into the future and places us in eternity with him. That’s an amazing God. Worthy of our praise even if he does nothing else for us, his love has redeemed us fully–past, present, and future. Our sins are forgiven and we are made righteous. 

“he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”

Hebrews 9:12 ESV

Walking with the Lord is an “all in” kinda deal. You are either all in or all out. To teach my Dufflings how to handle money at restaurants. I opened “mom’s café” in our home. Each night I would write out a menu and give each of them enough play money to buy their own dinners. My husband was the cashier and I was the cook. When one of them got their bill, they were shocked to find out that they were charged for every food item. Their response, “I thought this was a buffet!” 

Isn’t that our life at times? Only flip it. 

We spend our time worrying about every little detail when redemption has brought us into a heavenly buffet line. We do not pay for anything because Jesus paid it all and He alone has redeemed us, all of us. When this truth seeps into the marrows, joy is easier to obtain, love is better understood, and faith deepens. 

The purpose of this deeper faith is to spread the gospel.

To lead others to a saving faith and the power of redemption in their lives. We all have family and friends who do not know Jesus, our strong Redeemer. Saint, what are you doing to bring the gospel to their souls? Are we living it? Are we speaking it? I am preaching to myself as well. Salvation is what every soul dwelling on this earth needs. Let’s prayerfully consider how to take the message of the power of God’s redemption to those we love and those to whom the Spirit leads us. 

Spending consistent time with the Lord will fill you with his Word. Read your Bible every day even if it’s only two verses, do it. Pray every day even if it’s for two minutes, pray. Worship through song even it’s just one song, listen and sing it. Most of us who are weekly churchgoers can cross this list off every Sunday. But let’s go deeper and try and do this at home, in our POVs, or at work every day. I say every day because the more time we spend with God the more we will want to spend time with him. 

We are in the pursuit of God who is pursuing us right back. What a joyful display of love we have in Christ our Redeemer. Trust him with all of you. Looking forward to the next time we are together digging in the Word of God. 

<>< Claudia 

Firmly Rooted! 

Don’t miss Claudia’s encouraging words about The Power of Joy.