"The Lord did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than any other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh, King of Egypt." ~ Deuteronomy 7:7,8
I am brought to my knees by the knowledge of God's love. I look towards the snowcapped mountains and try to imagine how high His love reaches. I gaze into my grandson's startling blue eyes and try to imagine the depth of God's love. But it is impossible to contain the Father's love within human understanding.
God loves us unconditionally. He chose us as His special treasure, not because we are special, but merely because of His love. His love delivered us from the clutches of our enemies. His love lifted us up out of the miry clay and set our feet on solid ground. His love redeemed us from the bondage of sin. We have been set free!
But, how easily we forget. It is easy to walk in the glory of redemption when life is good, but where is redemption when we are bruised and battered by life's heartbreaks? Where is our redemption when the baby needs diapers and the bank account reads $1.50? Are we still God's special treasure when our attitude is tarnished with frustration?
The simple answer is yes. God's love knows no bounds. He has set us free from the chains that bind us. It is God who restores the bruised and battered life. It is God who makes a way when there seems to be no way. It is God who hides us under the shadow of His wing until the storm passes by. I have learned that His redemption remains, regardless of how I feel. Why? Because He loves us. Always. I've had to learn to hold fast to the knowledge of my redemption. No longer am I chained to anxiety. No longer am I chained to low self-esteem. No longer am I chained to my sins, unless I forget my redemption. It is in my forgetting that Satan assails my vulnerabilities with doubt.
The chains of my past dangle before me, accusing me - threatening me. But, my Lord says, "Child, I have redeemed you. You are Mine. You have been set free by the Blood of the Lamb."
Father, what would we do without Your grace and mercy? Thank You for Your redeeming love. Help us walk in the freedom You have given us and to never forget that we are Your children. You have paid a great price for us and for that we give You praise. Make us aware of Your Presence, especially in our pain, in our struggles and in our dark days. You are wonderful Lord. We love You.
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Today's Morning Glory is an excerpt from my devotional Let It Rain: A Journey to Know His Presence Through the Storm that is presently being considered for publication.
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please go to the Morning Glory page so that you can view this remarkable music video of Natalie Grant's Held.
Nan, this post reminded me of that Mary, Mary song, Shackles. What comfort to remember that He has already released me, regardless of how I feel or what's going on around me. Now, THAT's a good reason to dance!
ReplyDeleteThanks Vonda. I love the fact that regardless of how I feel or what is going on in my life, my Redemption is complete. Nothing has changed except perhaps me in the midst of the storm. But no matter how I FEEL, my Redemption remains steadfast.
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