Say So!

Psalm 107 begins with a grand declaration of God’s goodness and endless mercy, but it is also a call not just to worship with the psalmist, but to speak aloud the mercies and goodness of God for ourselves.

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; and gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.” (vv.1-3)

Perhaps you don’t relate to being gathered again after long years of exile as much as the people of Israel, but if you have repented of your sin and trusted Christ for salvation, you can surely relate to being “redeemed of the Lord.” Galatians 3 points to Christ’s redeeming sacrifice on our behalf.

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (v.13)

And 1 Peter also speaks of our redemption through Christ’s sacrifice:

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” (1:18-21)

You and I who have trusted Christ as our Savior have been redeemed, brought out of the darkness and into the light. Our unpayable debt has been paid by the blood of Christ, God in the flesh dying for you and for me. No wonder the psalmist is so excited to proclaim the goodness and mercy of God!

But the challenge to you and me is clear: if we are redeemed, we need to say so! How easy it is to soak in God’s mercy and goodness to us without even thinking about it, but as the redeemed in Christ we have a responsibility and ample reason to tell others what God has done for us.

It may be as simple as acknowledging God’s goodness by responding to a blessing with a verbal, “Praise the Lord!” or telling those around us about something God is doing, perhaps beginning with “You know, God is so good, He…”

For those like me who tend towards timidity, remember that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh.8:10.) If we take time to notice and ponder the goodness of God and His mercy to us, the very joy of redemption will overflow into a desire to tell others all about it.

After all, when something new and exciting happens, don’t you naturally tell people about it? And what could be more exciting than God Himself redeeming you from your sin, paying your debt, giving you a home with Him for all eternity, and adopting you as His very own child?

If you are redeemed, say so!

Even in heaven, the redeemed tell aloud the joyful fact of redemption. Take a look at Revelation 5, which gives us a peek into the throne room of heaven:

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (v 9)

The reality of our redemption should motivate us to obey the great commission to “go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) Yes, we tell others about Jesus because He said to, yes, we tell others about Jesus because we care about where they will spend eternity, but in addition to these very good reasons is the simple fact that we tell others about Jesus because we are excited about what He has done and is doing in us!

You and I have been redeemed, rescued from death, hell, and the power of sin: If that isn’t worth talking about, I don’t know what is!

“Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: talk ye of all His wondrous works.” 

Psalm 105:2