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Benefits – Redeemed

July 5, 2011 by Fritz

“and forget not all his benefits: … Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;” – Psalms 103:2b,4a

To “redeem” means to buy back. When a Hebrew went bankrupt he would sometimes sell himself or his family into slavery. There were special rules for keeping Hebrew slaves — one being redemption.1 A wealthy relative could buy back their freedom!

There are two (2) areas where I rely on this verse:

First, there are different kinds of slavery. Some are slaves to addiction, ungodly relationships, destructive behavior — God tells us not to forget that he redeems us these. Jesus, our relative (human) has the spiritual currency to purchase us from any kind of slavery. He wants us to believe him when he says redemption is possible and available. Call on him for redemption.

Second, there are several kinds of destruction. There is spiritual destruction, yes, but we also find ourselves in dangerous and destructive places. Even crossing the street can be hazardous. I believe God wants us to call on him for protection. We can call out to Jesus for help. We should teach our children to cry to God for help.

Don’t just spiritualize this. Part of God’s benefits he wants us to ask for is escape from every kind of destruction.

Prayer: Jesus, show me where I need to be redeemed from destruction and be my redemption. Amen.

– fritz@langgang.com
1 – Example: Leviticus 25:47-49

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Benefits – Healing

July 4, 2011 by Fritz

“forget not all his benefits: … who healeth all thy diseases;” – Psalms 103:2b,3b

I have personally experienced God’s healing touch and have friends who have as well. I have friends with serious chronic illnesses, enduring years with no improvement. Jennie and I have a handicapped child not expected by the medical community to recover. How should this verse be viewed?

Saying we are sick because we lack faith is like Job’s friends telling him he was suffering because he sinned — easy for them to say, they weren’t suffering, yet.

I believe God is telling us not to forget, even through the struggle and delay, that healing is for us and never give up.

Years ago circuses kept their elephants chained to tiny stakes. The large beasts could easily escape — but wouldn’t even try because when young they were chained where they could not escape, eventually resigning themselves to captivity. WE dare not let that happen to us.

I was asked recently if our handicapped child would be living with us for life. My response was that I don’t know what will happen five (5) minutes from now, how can I know what will happen for life? A change can happen at any moment and until it does God will give grace to take the next step. Expect God’s goodness — always live with the knowledge that God can do anything and that a delay, even a long one, is not final.

One thing that helps is realizing Jesus is not just the healer, he is our healing. (See also: “What He Is, Not What He Does” – June 9, 2011)

– fritz@langgang.com

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Benefits – Forgiveness

July 3, 2011 by Fritz

“…forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities” – Psalm 103:2b-3a

The most important benefit — Forgiveness! Remember the words of our Lord,

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? – Jesus (Mark 8:36)

When thoughts of regret and shame over what we have done, or left undone, pass before us remember that when you gave your life to Christ he paid for every one.

In this verse the original Hebrew word translated, “all”, actually means, “all”.

— fritz@langgang.com

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