Rhythms of the Redeemed

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble…

Some wandered in desert wastes,
    finding no way to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty,
    their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
    till they reached a city to dwell in.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
    and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    prisoners in affliction and in irons,
for they had rebelled against the words of God,
    and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;
    they fell down, with none to help.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
    and burst their bonds apart.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he shatters the doors of bronze
    and cuts in two the bars of iron...

Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
    and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!..

Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
    and praise him in the assembly of the elders...

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
    let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” Psalm 107:1-2,4-16,22,32,43

The redeemed have lives woven rich with thankfulness. They are not immune to trouble in the world, to famine or distress or longing. They experience the same temptations and painful consequences when they trip as those who know not the Lord, the same illnesses and afflictions and challenges with work. But they are distinct in perspective, set apart by their connection to Christ, and the rhythms of every season flow with dependence on the Lord and thankfulness to Him.

“Redeemed: saved from sin, error, or evil; bought back, regained possession of.” When we are redeemed, what has been done for us by Jesus the Redeemer infuses our being. We are awake to His grace, alert and stung when we fall from it, and drawn by its irresistible pull to be delivered again. The thrum of His washing plays the tune of gratitude again and again, and we cannot help but sing.

What daily habits structure our lives? As surely as the sun rises and we go about our days, we get into regular rhythms of eating and activity that dictate our hours. How about our spirit life? Have we fallen into rote religious practices that lack punch or power in our outlook or choices? Would we yield to holy disciplines, that when practiced, become a joy and lifeline? What difference could regular thanksgiving make? (Hebrews 12:10-11)