Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So

Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
   for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
   whom he has redeemed from trouble…

Psalm 107:1-2

On Sunday, Charlie mentioned a timeline exercise, in which you plot out all the significant points in your life when you could clearly see God at work. All of Psalm 107 feels like that: a roll call of all the different types of circumstances where God’s provision and rescue were apparent.

“Some wandered in desert wastes...He led them by a straight way…”

“Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons...He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.”

“Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction...He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.”

Sometimes we wander, farther and farther away from our Savior, with no purpose or direction or motivation. And He brings us back.

Some seasons we feel imprisoned by afflictions: illnesses, addictions, strongholds. He heals, or He provides a way through it, walking beside us every step, breaking open the chains.

Sometimes we have no one or nothing to blame but ourselves-our own stupid choices and actions, and they threaten to also hold us captive. He leads us out, offering forgiveness and righteousness where before we had none.

So often, these milestones are only visible in hindsight. So I challenge you to look back. Take some time to prayerfully reflect on your own timeline of God’s faithfulness in your life. Can’t think of many? Ask Him. I have no doubt that all those occasions will pour over you. And when they do, praise Him! “Thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!”

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,” because we ARE redeemed, and we should have much to say about it.