Intro: Since we shared about repentance yesterday, let’s go a step beyond and ask, “What does it mean for the repentant heart to live a life that has been ransomed by God?” Before the work of Christ on the cross, our lives, as human beings, were in jeopardy because of sin. We had no power over evil or the sin that would lead every person toward death (spiritually and physically). Death is the penalty for sin, but for those who allow themselves to be ransomed by Christ’s sacrifice, they receive eternal life (Rom 6:23). Jesus’ death—the shedding of his blood on the cross—satisfied the legal requirements of God’s law for justice (Lev 17:11; Heb 9:22).
The blood of the sinless Christ paid ransom to God and defeated evil and sin’s power over those who come to him for forgiveness. When Scripture tells us we (believers) have been liberated from the power and penalty of sin, it is because we now belong to the Lord and his Kingdom not to Satan and the system of the world. We can love and serve the Lord wholeheartedly, as well as love and serve our neighbors as we love ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). If you have invited Jesus into your heart, you belong to him in a beautiful way. When the Father looks at you, he sees Jesus who covers you with his blood. Because of the miracle of salvation, you are the forgiven.
Now, through the ongoing work of repentance and ransom, we can be RESCUED! I could stop right here and lose myself in praise, because the Lord has rescued me so many times! Jesus is the miraculous Rescuer of those whom he has ransomed and, as Lord of our lives, he fights our spiritual battles when evil attacks and tries to tempt us into sin. We are not human conquerors in our worldly flesh, we are human conquers in the Holy Spirit, because Christ is for us not against us and we can never be separated from his love (Rom 8:31-39).
In our passage today, David reminds us of the truth: as the repentant, we are the ransomed and the rescued. So, don’t fear the deep waters of trials, rivers of difficulty, or fires of oppression…you belong to God and the Rescuer lives within. Blessings my dear conquerors in Christ!
Psalm 17:1-2 NLT
1
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for paying the penalty for our sin and lifting us out of the very things the enemy sends to destroy us. You are our wisdom, courage, protection, and the love we require…we are yours! In Jesus’ name. Amen.