Psalm 103:1, 4
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! – – Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.”
Way back in 1952 I went to a jewelry store and selected an engagement and wedding ring set for the woman (then a girl of 18) of my dreams. It was a small set with hearts on either side of a diamond.The hearts were a symbol of our love for each other.
I did not have much money so I put them on lay-a-way. For those of you who are rich and have never heard of the term “lay-a-way,” it is reserving the item and paying on it a little at a time until you have met the price.You may then REDEEM your item.
The Hebrew word for redeem as used in Psalm 103:4 is the word ga’al. In addition to redeem something, it also means to ransom someone.Many of you may have read about modern-day pirates taking over large vessels and holding the ship and crew until their ransom demands have been met.
Each and every one of us born into this world is held hostage to sin. We do not have to learn how to sin—it comes naturally.It is the common characteristic of each and every human. The blessed thing is that we have been redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus. He paid the price and we have been REDEEMED!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil