Redeemed, Rescued & Restored

Psalm 107:1-6 Israel, had been redeemed, rescued and restored by God over and over and over through the centuries. They had plenty of reasons to sing about God's great deliverance and redemption. First, there is the predicament. Then there is the petition. Then there is the pardon. And then there is the praise.

The predicament is the dangerous situation described. The petition is the cry for deliverance from that danger. The pardon is the merciful deliverance provided. And the praise is the call to thanks that follows. Our own redemption from sin is imaged in these magnificent analogies. We, too, are like people lost in the wilderness, locked in prison, languishing in deadly sickness, and life-threatened on a storm-tossed sea. This picture then is not only of the redeemed of the Old Testament, but us as well.

Those without Christ: are troubled, destitute, despondent, lost soul wandering aimlessly in the barrenness of sin without the soul-supplying spiritual bread and water of life. That's how sinners are. They wander, looking for a city, someplace where there's water, someplace where there's food, where there's provision and joy and fellowship and rest and security and safety from the ever-present and impending death. God deliberately designs all in creation to point to Him, who alone satisfies.

This week’s verses:

Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25 Whom do you serve?

Psalm 78:1-7 What are you teaching by your words and actions?

Matthew 25:1-13 Being prepared here for there.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Being informed will help you to encourage others.