Psalm 103:4

Psalm 103:4

Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Did you ever stop to think about the word "redeem"? What does it mean? What does it mean to you? Well, technically speaking, the word "redeem" means to be saved or bought back. An example of what it represents.......a better way to define it is.... A slave is bought and sold, maybe more than once in his/her life. But let's say I buy a slave and then release him/her as a free man/woman. I have redeemed them. They couldn't buy themselves, and make themselves free, someone else had to do that. In our relationship with Jesus, only He could redeem us from the slavery to sin we were all in. He paid the price with His precious blood. I've seen great things in my walk with Christ. People healed of diseases, demons fleeing and crying out, but the most incredible miracle of all.........is a changed life. A redeemed life. Seeing someone who was in the clutches of the devil, and seeing them completely free. It is the most incredible thing to witness, and most of us take it for granted. We want to see the legs grow out, and the eyes created right in front of us.....and those things would be neat to see. But to see a changed life. One who was racing towards hell, who is now leading (or pointing) folks to Jesus, and to heaven, is just amazing. I am one of those miracles. So are you. We were all headed for destruction, and yes, we all deserved it. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee glory! We are redeemed! How about lovingkindness........what's that mean? Well, Merriam-Webster online defines it as: "tender and benevolent affection". Isn't that awesome? And tender mercies means to me, mercy without wagging a finger at you. That whole, "I forgive you, but I'll never let you forget it! And I'll never forget it either!" Is that really forgiveness? If I loan you $100 and later tell you, "Hey, I know you're having a rough time financially, I don't want this hanging over your head. I forgive you of that debt. You owe me nothing." And then 3 days later (or 3 years later) we're out somewhere and you do something I don't like or I'm just upset over something and I say, "Hey, remember that $100 you never paid back?" That means I really didn't forgive the debt, because it's still lingering in my mind. It's sad, the easiest way to never see someone again, is lend them money. A true friend, will still be your friend. If you lend them money, and never see them again, they were never a friend, and it was worth the $20 to find that out. Since we've been redeemed, let's love others like we've been loved. Let's show others lovingkindness and tender mercies. Let's become more like our Daddy, and Jesus everyday. In fact that's a good prayer for every day. Have a splendid day, and God bless. :-) PJ