You Will Be Redeemed

Isaiah 52:1-3 Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again. 2 Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion. 3 For this is what the Lord says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”
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Luke 1:49-50 for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 
 
ONE purpose to intentionally celebrate Advent is to remember God’s salvation promise. From Genesis through Malachi – the entire Old Testament – the Lord God promises he will redeem the entire world from the sin in the Garden of Eden. We rejoice at Christmas time to know, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
   With words of sure salvation, God speaks through Isaiah, “O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.” The LORD God declares God’s perfect restored city, the new Jerusalem, will be free of sin. The uncircumcised are those whose hearts remain stone against the Lord. These unfaithful will be judged. The new Zion, home to the church, will be redeemed and safe forevermore.
   Mary’s Spirit-inspired words affirms the prophet’s. She first confesses her personal salvation in the Lord. This is what we all must do. Your confession “the Lord has done mighty things for me” is to be with fear and awe. Uphold God’s salvation to the world and praises the Lord’s ongoing work in your life.
   Then Mary’s words point to the future. “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” God’s gracious mercy is his salvation. With grace and love, he forgives and redeems us into his holiness when we fear his name. To fear the Lord is to know his sovereign authority establishes our lives out of sin and into his holiness. Spirit-empowered faith, our hearts will circumcise sin from our hearts. With mourning, we recognize our sin. In joy we know without money you will be redeemed. Our eyes will desire to seek God’s face. With awe and wonder we will worship him with our heart, mind and soul. How great is God’s love to pay the price of His Son to redeem you.
   Remember, unto us a son has been given; unto you a child has been born. God is redeeming the world just as he has promised. One day sin will be no more.
 
Prayer: Your great mercy has come to my soul, Lord. I praise you for your great love to welcome future generations into you holy city. Amen.