Redemption

​Caleb’s head sunk in agony.  On the splintered beams of a weathered deck stood the only life left that really mattered—his daughter.  And now she was to be sold into slavery—auctioned off like some four-legged beast of burden.  

​His wife left just one month ago.  Malaria had so muddied her mind she died incoherent, a withered and broken woman.  Three of his four children were lost to a flood that struck unannounced carrying what few possessions they owned into a raging torrent, the river Debris.  He knew the word loss.  As a child he was ripped from his family by an intense tribal feud.  If life was a song, he played the notes for grief, the minor chords of despair.  
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The bidding began amidst the restless shuffle of linked chains.  The young girl tossed her hair back and scowled at those who would take her from her beloved father.  In moments those fiery eyes of defiance were extinguished by sobbing tears of one sold at the drop of a gavel.  An old gnarled black man moved forward, shoved money into the auctioneer’s hand and claimed his prize.  She was a beauty of that he was sure.  The white traders were stunned.  This had not happened before.  
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“Leeeeeahhhhhhh!”  the father cried.  “I love you!” But he spoke no more.  A heavy fist to his gut doubled him over.  “Shut up vermin!  You’re next.”  And the bidding began.

The old man watched in silence.  The cry of the desperate was not muted by soundproof walls.  The white-haired elder stuck up his cane again and bid.  As before, his price was worthy.  Again, the astonishment could not be hid on the traders’ faces.  Who was this stranger engaged in buying his own kind?

The three of them walked down hate-laced streets until they were beyond the evil city.  Soon they came to those roads less traveled where Caleb could no longer keep silent.  “Who are you sir?  What will you do with us?”
“Caleb, I am your grandfather.  I found you and Leah and with all the money I own purchased you today.  You are free. I love you.  Now let’s go home . . .”

On life’s platform we stand fettered by heavy links of sin.  An accuser named Satan tells God how unworthy we are.  He bids for our soul with all the fury and hate he can muster.  He’s right you know—we are unworthy.  Yet another voice cries out, the sound of Pride. He claims our slavery is but a façade that in fact we are free to go our own way.  We seem surprised to find that voice is our own.  
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Fortunately, a greater One than Satan and Pride stands in that auction.  His name is Jesus.  He is God’s Son.  He was crucified to sever forever our God-separating sin.  Now in glory, His bid for our freedom cannot be exceeded—for God values the price He paid above all.  But unless we trust Him enough to make Him our Master, God will not claim us and we will not be freed!  The irony of our slavery is that our chains are of our own making.  We cannot earn by ourselves God’s favor yet He permits us the liberty to choose our fate.  Jesus is ready to redeem us.  His grace has made redemption possible.  Set aside pride!  Resist the devil.  Join the redemption chorus, “Free, free at last, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.”
 
Meditation
Romans 3:22-24—That is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of theglory of God.  They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
 
Inspiration
The moral miracle of Redemption is that God can put into me a new disposition whereby I can live a totally new life.—Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest
 
©1999 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)