The
Power to Redeem
Praise the LORD…who
redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and
compassion…
Psalm 103:2,4
“I was responding to a
robbery/assault,” Marc began. “The victim was a known heroin
addict…at a known drug house at 3:00am. I figured, this is a
drug-involved incident gone bad. But as I questioned him, he told
me he’d changed, getting away from everything and everyone that had
anything to do with his past involvement in drugs. He assured me that
he was working on his marriage, was holding down a job, and they were
going to church regularly.
‘This was my old crash pad,’ he
explained. ‘I wanted to get the last of my belongings, so I stopped
on my way to work this morning.’ Still, part of me doubted his
story. Then, in my spirit, God suggested I listen to his
story, and give him the benefit of the doubt.
‘When I got there,’ he continued,
‘these three dudes dragged me inside, beat me, and took my cash.’
This sounded like the truth. I decided
to investigate further. Realizing the likelihood of getting his stuff
back was slim, I silently asked God for any help He was willing to
give… When the dust settled we’d recovered everything…including
the $50.00 they’d taken during the beating! We even located and
identified his three assailants!
I was ready to dismiss the supernatural
transformation in this man’s life, and would have, had it not been
for God’s intervention. That night God showed me His redeeming
power is greater than the deepest, darkest oppression Satan can ever
hope to impose on us!”
†
The adage, ‘Once and addict, always
an addict’ is one of Satan’s most insidious lies.
Today’s text says there is no one
beyond God’s redeeming power. Yet we still label others with
their past.
By making these malicious statements,
ignorant people utter curse-filled lies over unsuspecting people,
unknowingly sanctioning attacks from the enemy on that person
(Proverbs 18:21).
We must choose wisely the words we
speak over others because their fruit will be born out in the lives
of those we speak over. We should never give them a battle they
didn’t ask for.
Prayer
“LORD,
I believe in the power of Your grace. Teach me to edify and not
endanger others when I speak. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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