You Will Be Redeemed

​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 for the Advent season is to remember God’s past salvation promises and then to find special joy in his future salvation promises. From Genesis through Malachi you can read of the Lord God’s many assurances he will redeem the entire world from sin’s curse. You can then rejoice in the gospels’ messages especially during the Christmas season to know God has fulfilled his promise, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
   God spoke his sure salvation through Isaiah, “O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.” The LORD God declared Jerusalem would be free of sin. The uncircumcised are those whose stone hearts remain against the Lord. Contrary to a great lie that infects even the church today, not every person will be saved. The unfaithful will be judged. The new Zion, home to the church, will be the city of God’s redeemed free from sin and sorrow.
   Mary’s Spirit-inspired words then affirmed the prophet’s. She did what each believer must do. Mary first confessed her personal salvation in the Lord. The same confession “the Lord has done mighty things for me” is to be on your lips with faith, honor and awe. Affirm God’s salvation over your life and praise the Lord’s ongoing work to sanctify you more completely in his truth.
   Then Mary’s words point to the future. “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” To fear God is to recognize his holiness and worship him. God’s gracious mercy is his salvation. Worship God. Know that in grace and love, his sovereign authority forgives and redeems you into his holiness. This Spirit-empowered faith will circumcise sin from your heart, so your heart will love God. With great joy you know without money you will be redeemed. How deep and true is God’s love to pay the full price of your sins with his Son’s sacrificial life.
   Remember this: unto you 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.