The God Who Redeems

Sep 24, 2018 5819

Many people know the miracle-working God, but do you know the God who redeems?

Believers love to tell stories of how God miraculously intervened to save someone from tragedy. It’s good to share these stories. However, they’re also one of the reasons why some non-believers reject Christianity: because they know that’s not what life is like at all.

If you’re a follower of Jesus Christ, and you’re also honest with yourself, you have to admit that’s now what life is like for you either. So let’s get real. Until the day my father died, I prayed that somehow God would touch his heart so that I could be reconciled with him. It never happened. As a child, I remember my mother praying to God that he would spare her from dementia. She prayed that prayer all her life, and yet I saw her die from it after years in a nursing home.

I certainly believe in the power of prayer. However, I don’t believe that God necessarily answers us in the way that we think we need. No matter how much we pray, none of us are exempt from the tragedies of life. For every miracle story there seems to be a hundred stories of endurance in suffering.

A redeemer transforms reality by paying the price that makes a new reality possible.

One of the powerful ways in which God presents himself throughout the Bible is as a “Redeemer” (Isaiah 44:24; Isa 48:17). The idea of redemption comes from the practice of ancient slavery. A slave was redeemed when someone paid the price for their freedom. That’s why God says that he “redeemed” the children of Israel, from slavery in Egypt (Ex 6:6).

A redeemer sees value in what is seemingly worthless. A redeemer looks at a slave and sees freedom. A redeemer transforms reality by paying the price that makes a new reality possible.

The way that God redeems is difficult to explain to people who aren’t followers of Jesus. God takes weakness and turns it into strength. He takes sorrow and turns it into joy. He takes limitations and turns them into possibilities. He turns suffering into glory. That’s what redemption is all about. God takes your present reality of that person and transforms it into something that is not only worthwhile, but precious. That’s why the Apostle Paul rejoices in his sufferings (Rom 5:3), and attributes them to the grace of God (1 Cor 15:10).

It’s true that God may choose to work a miracle for you, but that’s not, at its core, what redemption is all about. Even with Israel in Egypt, God didn’t take them to the Promised Land right away. They had to learn to trust him.

**God often saves us through the trouble, and not from the trouble.**

God is the Great Recycler. He recycles the rubbish of your life and turns it into something beautiful. The Bible teaches us that we have been redeemed because of Jesus’ mighty act at the Cross (Eph 1:7). That’s where he paid the price. Every experience in our lives must be seen in the light of the cross.

Although the Son begged the Father to spare him from the cross, the Father did not answer that part of his prayer. Instead, he allowed his Son to go through the Cross, and he turned it into something magnificent and glorious. The truth is that God won’t always deliver from every trouble in this life. He doesn’t always just make the rubbish go away. Instead, the recycles our rubbish in the furnace of trouble, which is the furnace of his love.

God wants us to learn to hand our broken lives to him. That’s when our healing begins. We must allow him to gently lead us through the process of turning our pain and anguish into something beautiful. That really the greatest miracle of all.

Those who have been redeemed will always have a story to tell. It will always be a miraculous story, but it won’t always be a story of how God saved us from the trouble. Often, it will be a story of how God saved us through the trouble, and sometimes not in this world, but in the next. And our story is precisely what the Lord wants:

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story (Psalm 107:2).

– Eliezer Gonzalez

New Christians & Seekers

God has become real in my life. – Florence Uchiti, Kenya

I grew up as a Muslim and we know Jesus as a Prophet. My curiosity to know more about Christ led me to him. Thank you, GNU! – Sakkie, South Africa

I have given my life to Jesus. – Osborn, Botswana

I have realised that God is more understanding and loving than I ever thought, and more present in my present than I ever knew. – Female, Ireland

GNU’s daily devotions are my springboard for each day. – Ruth, Australia

Through GNU, I heard the Gospel. – Bukenya Charles, Uganda

I feel that God has something to say to me every day. It’s like GNU’s devotions are his way of reaching out. – Karri Benedix, USA

You have changed my life. – Bukenya Charles, Uganda

I now know that I can have a personal relationship with my Savior and living God, Jesus Christ! – Thomas Kaastra, USA

My Life Has Never Been The Same!

I was really in need of Jesus Christ in my life. Since you started sharing the Word of God with e, my life has never been the same – Sonny Dawah, Sierra Leone

During this period of Covid lockdown, GNU has been the only thing that has kept me connected with God.

GNU helps me face the challenges of each day with a positive attitude.

God Has Something to Say Everyday!

I really enjoy the daily devotions. They give e comfort and hope. – Male USA

Revived My Spiritual Side

You explain the Gospel in a simple way for everyone to understand. – Sarah Wardlow, Sierra Leone

GNU helped me when I felt like giving up on life.

The daily devotions from GNU are short, to the point, and never a waste of time. They are always relevant. – Geoff Reilly, Australa

I really appreciate these devotions. I wake up to them every day! – Colmie Simms, Jamaica

Curious Muslim Found Christ

The ministry of GNU has changed my life completely. Now I know Jesus as my only hope!

Y’all send me awesome devotions! – Brittany Rivera, USA

Gave My Life to Jesus

When I read your messages I can literally feel the presence of God. These words are powerful.

God is More Loving Than I Thought!

I am encouraged, challenged and blessed! – Female, Australia

Your devotions show the love of God and the Good News of Jesus in a way that is refreshing and easy to relate to. – Ann Willott, United Kingdom

Because of GNU, I have been able to let go of my bitter past. – Osborn, Botswana

Your devotions give me a daily reminder to look to God. They are the perfect length to read anywhere. I always leave your daily devotion with hope. – Female, USA

It’s such a blessing to receive such encouraging good news on a daily basis. – Female, Australia

I believe GNU’s daily devotions are a gift from the Holy Spirit – just for me! But I am glad they are for everyone too! – Female, Australia

I’m really born again! Now I can understand the Bible! – Pardon Sibanda, Zimbabwe

GNU has helped me to know that Jesus is the Lord and Saviour of my life.

Good News Unlimited is the most powerful weapon that God is using to keep the fire burning till the end comes. – Andrew Nganining, Papua New Guinea

Your devotions constantly challenge me and fill me with hope. – Reg Poyser, United Kingdom

Through GNU, I found Jesus and learned about true salvation. I am witnessing daily for him and will continue all the days of my life! – Grace Wambuyi Muraya, Kenya

Through GNU, I discovered my calling and purpose in life! – Linda, South Africa

GNU’s daily devotions are strengthening, uplifting, and encouraging. – Male, Norway

I used to believe in the blood of animals. Now I believe in the blood of Jesus! – Male, Nigeria

I appreciate GNU so much for bringing Christ into my life. – Sonny Dawah, Sierra Leone

My life has changed for the better since I started receiving the Good News Unlimited daily devotions. – Sheka Joshua Bangura, Singapore

Blood of Jesus Instead of Animals

Your devotions really encourage me and give me a bold spirit with which to face each day. – Male, Fiji

I have understood how real God is. – Donna, USA

Signing up has been rich blessing. – Male New Zealand

For Existing Christians

Thanks to your support, we've reached people with the Good News of Jesus since the start of this year!

A redeemer transforms reality by paying the price that makes a new reality possible.

God often saves us through the trouble, and not from the trouble.

**God often saves us through the trouble, and not from the trouble.**