Redeemer

There is an old, old hymn from the 1700s by Samuel Medley called, "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." The lyrics play through my head when I consider Jesus as our Redeemer. The third and fourth verses are my favorite, part of which say:

"He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend. He lives and loves me to the end. He lives and while He lives, I'll sing. He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King."

"He lives! All glory to His name! He lives, my Savior, still the same. Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives. I know that my Redeemer lives."

To redeem something means to recover it, buy it back, or restore it. As we mentioned in an earlier post, Psalm 8:5 says God made us "a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned [us] with glory and honor" (ESV). That glory and honor were stripped away when the first man, Adam, sinned, creating a debt. Adam in effect mortgaged his glory and honor, his good standing with God. Jesus paid that debt, providing a way for restoration for all who believe in Him.

Isaiah 44:22 says "I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you" (ESV).

Dear Lord, our Heavenly Father, we thank you! We thank you for sending your Son to redeem us! Please help us to always remember your loving kindness and grace to us and never abuse the privilege of seeking Your forgiveness through the sacrifice of Your Son. Lord, I pray that You would teach us Your precepts and guide us to walk uprightly through Your Spirit. May we glorify You, Father, and praise Your name forever! In Jesus Christ's righteous and holy name, Amen.

Diana Dodd is the founder and managing editor of the Christian blog site, Joy in Faithful Living. She and her husband Bryan, a career Army officer, have been married for 23 years and lived all over the United States. They currently reside in Kansas with their two girls, ages 16 and 10.

This piece was originally published at Joy in Faithful Living in 2020. They have graciously granted us full permission to re-publish the series here, but we would love for you to visit their site and support their ministry, as well! Check out their work at joyinfaithfulliving.com.