DB

I LONG TO REDEEM THEM

Hosea 7:1-16

“…I long to redeem them…” (13c)

First, their sins engulf them (1b, 3, 4a, 6b, 7b, 10, 11, 13a, b, 14b, 15b, 16a). In this chapter God makes a detailed list of all the sins of Israel. They practiced deception, stealing, lying and adultery. They were arrogant and went astray from God. They did not call on God but instead turned to other nations for help. Israel represents every nation. She represents sinful humanity. What is the problem of mankind? The real source of all our problems is sin. Indwelling sin makes us stumble and fall. It is the wickedness of our hearts that makes us sinners. Our hearts are full of pride, rebellion, arrogance and adultery, ruled by sinful lust and passions. In a word, our sins engulf us (2b). 

When I think of my own heart, it is easily engulfed in sinful passions and desires. My mind easily goes astray from God and returns to sinful thoughts. I must continually resist temptation in this body. Paul said, “O wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?” Mankind has not changed even after thousands of years of civilization and technology. We cannot reverse the power of sin. No one can save himself. The only solution is to turn back to God.

Second, I long to redeem them (13c). God’s longing is to redeem sinners. He sent us His one and only Son Jesus to be our Redeemer. Redeem means to buy back. Sin makes us slaves to sin. We are sold on the marketplace of the devil because of sin. Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. The only hope for a slave is to be set free by his master or be redeemed by someone who can make the payment. Jesus did this on the cross. He bought me back from the slave market of sin and the devil. He paid the high cost of my redemption through his atoning sacrifice for sin. He shed his precious blood for my sins. All I need to do is to trust in Jesus. I trust in Jesus to save me! I have been bought by his blood. I have been set free from my inner torment due to my sins. This is the good news of the gospel. I don’t have to earn salvation. I don’t have to save myself. I don’t have to depend on someone else. I trust in Jesus my Redeemer to save me. I look to the cross of Jesus where his blood is dripping down on me. 

Thank you, Jesus, for being my Redeemer. Thank you for your precious blood that bought me from my slavery to sin. Help me to walk as a free man in Christ. Help me to remember that you saved me moment by moment. I lay all of my sins of arrogance, pride, rebellion, disobedience, lust, and fear at the foot of the cross. I trust in you Lord Jesus to save me. Help me to share in your heart for the lost world of sinners. Help me to share the gospel with someone today. By doing so, help me to praise you and sing of you my Redeemer. Be thou my vision. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

One Word: Jesus is my Redeemer!