Stephanie Shott

Perhaps you’ve heard the story of a man who went on a mission trip to Sudan and witnessed the harsh reality of human trafficking. People were being bought and sold like used furniture at a garage sale. They had no hope...they had no voice. They would be someone else’s possession for the rest of their lives.

How could he walk away and do absolutely nothing? He desperately wanted to do something, but felt helpless. He then decided to begin raising money to pay a ransom for the slaves. No, he hasn’t been able to pay the price for every slave in Sudan...but he’s purchasing their freedom, one slave at a time.

Throughout the Bible, Jesus is presented to us with numerous titles and names. Every one of them floods this completely transformed southern girl's heart with adoration and thankfulness. But one title always stops me in my tracks and makes me want to drop to my knees in inexpressible thankfulness...and that is His title Redeemer.

The very word reminds me of how deep I was in the bondage of sin and how real and life-altering His redemption of me was. My pit was deep, my sin was great, my background was not a pretty one. I was in need of a Redeemer. Someone who would ransom me from myself.

You see, the word redeemer comes from the Hebrew word ga'al and it’s definition is rather large. It means to buy one back from the slave market, to ransom, to act as a kinsman redeemer. It’s an Old Testament word. Romans 11:26 is the only New Testament usage of this word and there it is a quote from the Old Testament.

Let’s look at some of the verses where we find this beautiful title:

Psalm 19:14 - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Job 19:25 - As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.

Isaiah 54:5 - For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.

Isaiah 59:20 - A Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob," declares the LORD. (The prophecy that is mentioned in Romans 11:26)

Jeremiah 50:34 - Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is his name.

Before I was saved, I was held prisoner on the slave-block of sin. I was without hope and incapable of paying my way out. BUT Jesus came to the earth to become my Kinsman-Redeemer...to not only pay my ransom, but to become my Ransom. He purchased me, He delivered me and He set me free.

Do you know Jesus, the Redeemer? Have you been set free? If not, place your life in His hands and let Him draw you out of the pit of hopelessness. Let Him redeem you today.

Yes, I know my Redeemer lives. He is my strong Rock. The LORD Almighty is His name. He redeemed my soul from the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light. (Job 33:28)

I remember when I was a little girl I had a problem with curiosity. I wanted to know the how’s and why’s about everything from how butterflies fly to how televisions worked. Unfortunately, my inquisitive nature got me in trouble more times than I’d like to admit.

One day, I was in our back yard and I saw a big black fuzzy insect under the tree. It moved like a worm but it was fuzzy like a mini-bear. And so I did what all curious little girls do...I touched it. Now I have to tell you, my childhood doesn’t provide me with too many memories, but this comes back to me in living color. The pain was excruciating. It shot up my arm like a red hot iron pipe had been inserted under my skin.

At 4, I didn’t know much but the second that sweet looking venomous monster of a caterpillar stung me, all I wanted to do was find my daddy and jump in his lap. You see, in my little world, my daddy was the smartest and strongest man alive, so I just knew that He'd know exactly what to do and I was certain that the second that I plunged myself into his arms, everything would be o.k..

Today, I’m writing this to a group of women who represent different seasons and different circumstances. Some of you have been stung by life. Some of you are carrying a heavy load and your heart is desperately hurting. Some of you are in a very difficult season in your life and you really don’t know where to turn or what to do. You just need some direction. Perhaps some of you have just walked through a very dark valley, but you find yourself taking baby steps toward the mountaintop and you finally feel like you can breathe again.

When the circumstances of life sting our heart, we need to plunge ourselves headlong into the arms of Jesus. As our Everlasting Father, He's waiting with His arms wide open. When confusion darkens our steps and leaves us clinging to wall, we need Jesus to shed light on our path and point us in the right direction.

There is no problem too big or too small that He doesn't desire to answer with His wisdom. We never have to worry that He isn't interested in what we're going through. There is nothing that He doesn't know how to answer; there is nothing that can catch Him by surprise.

He loves us with an everlasting love. We are inscribed on the palm of His hand and we are the apple of His eye. He is our shelter in the time of a storm, He is our Rock, our Fortress and our Deliverer, and as our Counselor, He longs to give us the wisdom we need to walk victoriously through this journey called life.

Oh yes, He's definitely our Wonderful, Counselor!

As I was preparing for one of the messages I'll be sharing with the ladies at the Ignite Pastors' Conference in Costa Rica, I was reminded of our need to reflect on who Jesus really is. Somehow, in all the busyness of life, we become easily distracted from the one who has changed our eternal destiny.