He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. Psalm 103:4
They sat in the closet under the stairs for years—photo albums that held painful reminders of what he’d lost and all that could have been.
There’d be no 50th wedding anniversary for Michael. No growing old with the woman he’d married when young and in love. Early on, she’d betrayed him, but it took years for his marriage to end. Michael felt…broken.
But married or unmarried, Michael’s life—all life in this world will always be touched by brokenness, because this world itself is broken. Nothing in it will ever offer us the lasting contentment we yearn for. This world needs–we need, redemption.
The writer of the Bible’s songs knew where redemption could be found. He sang, “hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love” (Psalm 130:7). Of Himself, God says, “… I am the Lord your Savior and your Redeemer…” (Isaiah 49:26). When we turn to Him, our Redeemer God fills the places that pain has carved with Himself. Scripture says, He “redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion” (Psalm 103:4 NIV).
A life redeemed by Jesus begins with confession of our own brokenness and a request for help in living lives centered on following Him, rather than our own longings. Then, says scripture, “Times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord…” (Acts 3:20).
Are you suffering with sorrow over what you’ve lost in this life and all that could have been? Jesus waits for you to come to Him for redemption from brokenness. Scripture promises the day is coming when God’s redeemed will be found “…singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness” (Isaiah 51:11b).
