For the LORD has redeemed Israel from those too strong for them.
         (Jeremiah 31:11)

Do you have days that look pretty gloomy? When you can’t seem to get out from under the heavy clouds?

God has not only has redeemed us from a kingdom of darkness, but He rescues us every day from our enemies. In Psalms, David constantly rejoices that “the Lord delivers me from my enemies.” And that was not just some special arrangement God had with King David; God does the same for us, every day in all the hours of our lives.

Our enemies? They are external: Bombardment by society’s values and philosophies. Busy schedules. Financial strains. Health concerns. Temptation. Growing hostility toward Christianity. And they are internal: Discouragement. Depression. Doubt. Fear. Worry. Stress. Selfishness. Anger.

Make a list of your own enemies. You know what battles you must constantly fight, what things sometimes loom up and look impossible and overwhelming, the situations you are tempted to call hopeless, the dark things that sometimes hold you in a strong grip.

Here’s the good news: The baby born that night is alive today. He comes to redeem His people, to release us from enemies too strong for us and to reclaim us once again as His children.

Listen to what your Father tells you, His ransomed children who have been rescued:

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. (Titus 2:14)

Let all that I am praise the LORD;
     may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
     and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
     and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
     My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
           (Psalm 103:2-5)

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. (1 Peter 1:18)

I have paid the price to set you free. (Isaiah 44:22)

In his love and mercy he redeemed them.
He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.
         (Isaiah 63:9)

I cannot tell you how important that last verse is to me. I have staked my life on it.

He promises redemption, freedom, healing, a life crowned with love and mercy, strength renewed, defeat of your enemies. He will carry us through all our years.

Many of my days that started under dark clouds have been redeemed. Bought back from a dark outlook. Reclaimed. Freed. Filled.

Look for your redemption every day. He says He will do it. And may we never forget all the good things He has done for us.

Then you can write your own Psalm, just a few lines declaring that, In his love and mercy he redeemed me. He lifted me up and carried me through all my day.

Amen. Thanks be to our Father.