Verse of the Day - Psalm 71:23

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed.
~ Psalm 71:23 (NIV)

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I woke up this morning with a song in my head that I couldn't get rid of. Ever happen to you? I'm sitting here at the computer trying to read Bible verses for VOTD, and the chorus just keeps running through my head, a song that we just learned at worship team practice last night, called "Say So" -- the chorus simply goes like this...

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so
Say so, Say so...

I could not stop the chorus from replaying in my mind this a.m., so instead of trying to fight the tide, I did a Bible word search on 'redeemed'. And there were many references in the Old Testament to the redemption of Israel from the land of Egypt, out of slavery from the hands of Pharaoh. Rescued out of a hopeless situation for which they couldn't get out of on their own. Redeemed.

All of humanity is in this situation, hopelessly stuck in the slavery of sin, chained to the curse of death and held hostage by the evil one. But just like Moses was sent to rescue the children of Israel, Jesus was sent to rescue the children of the world. And whereas in Moses' case, there was no ransom to be paid, this world hostage situation required a ransom. Something had to be given up for the souls of humanity. And that something was death itself. The shedding of blood to pay for sin. That was the price of our redemption, and Jesus chose to pay it. In full.

So, those who have chosen to say 'yes' to accepting that payment for their sin and have decided to live their life by Jesus' way are the redeemed. Plucked out of the hand of the devil and brought to the throne of God! For those who have experienced that redemption, I hope you are praising God right now for the gift you've been given -- new life, eternal life, through Jesus Christ, the LORD! You are redeemed -- can I hear you 'say so'?!?

The song, "Say So", is a challenge to all who have been redeemed. The first part goes like this...

What does it mean to be saved?
Isn't it more than just a prayer to pray?
More than just a way to heaven?
What does it mean to be His?
To be formed in his likeness?
Know that we have a purpose.

Vamp:
To be salt and light in the world, in the world.
To be salt and light in the world.

Chorus:
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, say so, say so! (repeat)

Oh that the church would arise,
So that we would see with Jesus' eyes...
We could show the world heaven.
Show what it means to be His,
To be formed in his likeness,
Show them they have a purpose.

To be salt and light in the world, in the world,
To be salt and light in the world.
To be salt and light in the world, in the world,
To be salt and light in the world.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! . . .
~ from Say So, by Israel Houghton

(for your listening pleasure, here's a link to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMq6A__rdPQ)

Those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb have a purpose -- to give praise and glory to God for who He is and all He's done, AND to say so to a world that needs light in their darkness, to see their way to The Light. Do you sense your purpose as one of God's redeemed?

Let the redeemed of the Lord SAY SO!

Love,
Joelene