Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story - those he redeemed from the hand of the foe. Psalm 107:2

 

Psalm 107 details exactly how we were before the Lord came into our lives. It speaks of those of us who wandered from place to place and were stuck in a desert wasteland. But he gathered us from all the ends of the earth to be one family. He heard our cries for help and he came to the rescue. By calling to him our lives were changed and he continues to make our paths straight. He quenches our thirst and satiates our hunger. Even when we rebel he still hears us in trouble.

I love how the remainder of this chapter speaks of God's power. How he is able to break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron . This entire chapter reminds us of all the Lord has done in our lives. He has turned our desert wastelands into pools of water and provides a place to rest. Because of this God is worthy of our praise. Not only has he redeemed us but he has gone beyond that and blessed us continually.

We should tell our stories to others so that they might know the glory and power of God through an individual example. The benefits of witnessing are three fold: 1) You are able to show the character of God and his love by sharing what he has done in your life. By relying completely on the Holy Spirit when telling your story you are planting seeds and following God's commandment to make disciples in every nation.

2) Each time you retell how God brought you from where you were to where you are it actually benefits you. It benefits you because it ensures you never forget how much you truly need God. It reminds you stay on the path by remember how lost you once were. This re-affirming account will strengthen your foundation. As time goes on, you begin to see how your story is always being added to. This is a reminder of how God is faithful and will show you that he is truly working in your life and molding you into the image of Christ. When you are able to detail the changes and see how the story of you is being weaved together by God it restores your hope and lights a fire.

3) Each time you tell your story it is a song that pleases the Lord. When you recount how far he has brought you, you are showing your reverence and thankfulness. By constantly witnessing using your own story, you are acknowledging and recognizing the power and wonder of God's touch in your life. This is another form of praise which he deserves. How he loves to hear how you know him. How he loves to see and hear how much you need him and how he is the center of your life and the changing force that brought you to life for that is what he deserves. You have redeemed, you have a story. Tell it! It shows the power of God to others and to yourself and is pleasing to the Lord as well. Go with a fearlessness and tell your story because this verse reminds us that he has already redeemed us from the hand of the foe. We don't need to fear calamity by telling our story. God has overcome our shame, our hurt, our bitterness, our anger, our insecurity, our impatience and everything else.

By remembering these things you honor God, by sharing these things you edify others, and by watching and detailing how your walk has been it cements your faith. You are able to rest and know that God is working in you and are able to see how you have been redeemed from the foe. When you see how God has redeemed you then you are given a fearlessness. How mighty is his work in you! How grand and beautiful is he making you! You have redeemed and come from death to life - celebrate, share, and cherish it!

  

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Dear Lord,
How we praise you for your mighty hand that saves. You have redeemed us from the foe and not only that you have blessed us immensely by constantly reminding us of your love for us and your faithfulness and by slowly imparting on us wisdom of the plans you have for our lives. Lord how grand and spectacular is the change you have caused. We are truly changed and pray that as we remember how we've been redeemed that you would give us a fearlessness and allow us to share. You have shown us the greatest thing ever - your grace - and we pray that you give us a hunger and an excitement to share that knowledge with those around us not only in our words but in our actions as well. Continue to write our story Lord, reveal yourself, draw us nearer, and Lord be pleased by our acknowledgment of how you've worked in our lives, Amen!