Redemption is defined as: 1 – The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. 2 – The action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt. If you picked one word that describes the theme of the entire Bible, it would be redemption. Redemption is used in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Isaiah 43:1 says, “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’”
Growing up going to church every Sunday, I became accustomed to seeing my daddy lead singing on Sunday mornings. He would stand in the pulpit of that old country church, sunbeams streaming through the frosted glass windows. He would announce the song number to the congregation, even now I can hear the sound of the hymnal pages turning. We didn’t have a piano or any other instruments, just Southern, four-part harmony singing praises to God.
My daddy’s favorite hymn composer is Fanny J. Crosby, known as the “Queen of Gospel Song Writers.” In her lifetime, she wrote more than 8000 hymns and had more than 100 million copies printed. While this seems like an amazing body of work, what makes it even more amazing was the fact that at six weeks old, Fanny Crosby caught a cold that caused inflammation in her eyes which resulted in permanent blindness. She was quoted as saying later in life, “It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.”
One of my favorite hymns written by Crosby is, “Redeemed—how I love to proclaim it!”
Redeemed—how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child, and forever, I am.
Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed, redeemed, His child, and forever, I am.
The New Testament is an announcement of the message of redemption. It is the announcement that Jesus of Nazareth is the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation. The long awaited redemption had arrived. The separation of man from God had been bridged, had been redeemed, by the death and resurrection of Christ.
Living in a fallen world as Christians means we will experience trials and tribulations and will continue to struggle with temptations. We are forgiven, but as long as we are in this broken world, God is not finished with us yet. Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” We live with the anticipation of a promise made by
God, that when we become Christians and commit our lives to living for Jesus, we will see the glory of heaven. The debt of sin we owe has already been paid. We have been redeemed.
This week’s recipe is an easy one-pan dish that is sure to be not only delicious but also a go-to meal on those busy weekday nights. We love this recipe, but as always, make it your own! Change out the proteins and veggies for the ones your family loves.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from the east and west, from north and south.” Psalm 107:1-2
April 4, 2025
