Psalm 49:7-8 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

Redemption is one of the more perfect words in all of bible literature. It describes a process which is found nowhere in all of the world but in this one place. It describes a process of trading something of no value for something of great value. Our souls are precious to God but our souls are not free. For many it is difficult to admit we are sold under sin.

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Scream all you want that you are the captain of your own soul. In the end death will swallow you up and your only chance for redemption will die with you. The redemption clause terminates at death. At that point you have nothing left to trade.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Why would God trade His Son for me, for His life was the ransom price?

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

To win a bride.

Psalm 42:3-5 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Would my confession of this condition do anyone any good? We all have things in this world we have to go thru that are unpleasant and difficult to undertake. I don’t have to be specific in my events to allow you to relate. How we feel within our souls says everything.

Sadly I have not been able to perform verse 4. I don’t have that particular lifting up in my life.  While I am alone, I am not alone. The presence of His countenance sustains me.

Psalm 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

I do believe, even if not in fellowship that I do get to see the goodness of the Lord wherever I am in this land.

I’ve been stressed of late and the Lord sent relief and not thru the church or my friends, but in the world. This is His world and He can and does enact His will and grace even if the fellowship is missing.

What I discovered this past week in finding a little time to fellowship with members of my church is that I am out of practice. Being all that I can be in the Lord requires a practice of the God given gifts and the grace given. Like a body that has not exercised properly, my soul limped.