I read Colossians 3 this morning . . . kind of overwhelming . . . more words underlined or shaded with colored pencil than not. Truths to digest . . . commands to obey . . . everything from setting my mind on things above to living life well on earth below. A ton of stuff! And then I read Psalm 130 . . . and two words jumped off the page which seemed to capture at least some of what I felt while reading Colossians.

O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with Him is plentiful redemption.  (Psalm 130:7 ESV)

“Plentiful redemption” . . . with the LORD there is plentiful redemption. Chew on that!

Redemption . . . literally “ransom.” To be redeemed is have had a ransom paid for you. To be redeemed is to have had a price tendered on your behalf. To be redeemed is to be bought from the ownership of another. To be redeemed is to be purchased and thus become the possession of the redeemer. And when it comes to our great Redeemer, His redemption is plentiful . . . it is abundant . . . it is multiplied many times.

It is plentiful in that it is available to all who will acknowledge the need and by faith look to Him as Savior and Redeemer. Abundant in that it is sufficient to pay the price no matter how great the debt racked up by sin. Overflowing in that, no matter how enslaved to the previous owner, it is able to rescue completely from sins grip and the world’s dominion. The ransom paid on my behalf is available . . . sufficient . . . and able.

And, as I was reminded in Colossians 3 this morning, my God’s plentiful redemption is not just “over the top” in what it can purchase “out of” . . . but, and perhaps more amazing, what it ransoms us “in to.”

“You have been raised with Christ (v.1) . . . your life is hidden with Christ in God (v.3) . . . when Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory (v.4) . . . you have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator (v.10) . . . you are God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved (v.12) . . . you were called in one body (v.15) . . . you are serving the Lord Christ (v.24).”

What kind of redemption plucks us from the marketplace of sin and raises us to the heavenlies? What is the manner of ransom sufficient to rescue us from being consumed by the spirit of this age and secures us hidden with Christ in God? Plentiful redemption . . . abundant ransom. More than just the price paid to rescue, but the fullness of the riches poured out that we might be called chosen and holy . . . made into one body . . . and graced with the privilege to be slaves of the King of Kings. Slaves of Him . . . who Himself . . . paid the ransom . . . bodily on the cross . . . His life poured out . . . that He might secure for us a plentiful redemption.

How can I not respond with thanksgiving? How can help but praise Him? How can I not seek to serve Him? Purchased . . . redeemed . . . with a plentiful redemption. To God be all glory . . . amen!

“Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! . . . Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb . . . Redeemed through His infinite mercy . . . His child and forever I am.”