It should go without saying it, but our purpose is to please the LORD. I know, it is a simple concept, although I believe it is lost in the hustle and bustle of our world today.

“⁷When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” – Proverbs 16:7 (ESV)

As I study the word “please” I was brought to this verse that I have marked in my bible. As I reviewed my studies from the past 4 years, I did not find where I had written on the verse, yet my scribble “Our purpose is to please the LORD” written in the margin is so profound and fitting for me today.

I am thankful that I have a LORD to please. A living God that walked/walks with me daily. I have a heavenly Father who loves my unconditionally and wants nothing but the best for me. I should want and desire and take action to please Him at every turn. I am to be His just as He is mine each day, and as small child looks at his/her father for guidance and acceptance and validation, I should be looking to Him for the same.

Those same small children look to please their parents at every turn, and I should be doing the same with my heavenly Father. Please Him as He continues to take ultimate care of me. Please Him and as written in verse 7 above, God “makes even his enemies to be at peace with him”.

As you go through your days, what is your approach to God? Are you willing to please Him? Are you aware that “Our purpose is to please the LORD”?

I look out into the world and wonder how it is that I can please the LORD in the state we are currently in. It is pretty simple.

“³⁰I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. ³¹This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.” – Psalm 69:30-31 (ESV)

I do not have to do a bunch of grand gestures or take overtly major action. God only wants me to praise Him in song and be thankful for the blessings He provides for me.

I have to remember that I am a child of God and as such He only wants me to be as a child with Him. I should be learning and growing, acting and doing, praising and thanking His name and in His name. No more or less is required of me. God wants me to be His in every sense of the and for that He will continue to teach me and provide for me.

Pleasing God is my ultimate goal and although it seams as though it is a difficult thing in which to complete, when I look at what is required to meet that goal, it is not a daunting as I once thought it to be.

As you look at your ultimate goal, is it in line with pleasing God? Are you having a difficult time figuring out how to please God? Did you know that it is as simple as praising Him and being thankful?

“¹³You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.” – Exodus 15:13 (ESV)

Back in May of 2018 I was led to the same passage as I was studying the word “guided” and was fed a deeper understanding of the tense that is used in scripture as the ESV uses the past tense to say that the Lord has guided and the NIV use the future tense to say that the Lord will guide. Whereas there seems to be some contradiction in scripture based on the version, I believe they both to be true and valid.

For this morning I was brought to the same passage as I study the word “redeemed” and what stands out as I look back on my previous study is that regardless of whether God guided or will guide, the fact remains that it is His redeemed being referred to.

I am so glad that He chose me to be redeemed. I am a sinner and certainly do not deserve the mercy, grace, and redemption He heaps on me. But, God loves me for who I am and has taken me to be His own child and for that I am eternally grateful. I am redeemed by the blood of Christ as He died on the cross for me, and God guides me to where He would have me go.

Are you taking what you have studied before and using it in your study today? What are your thoughts on being redeemed by Christ? Are you even aware that God is guiding those that He has redeemed?

I am consistently presented with the idea that I am really no one in this world. I am passionate about the work that I do and my mission and values are centered around being a servant and caring for others before myself. Because I am not self aggrandizing I am not given the credit for the work that I am responsible for as others take my credit for themselves and I am treated as though I was a part of the team that pulled it off.

In the eyes of God the above could not be further from the truth.

“¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹²training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. ¹⁵Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” – Titus 2:11-15 (ESV)

I have been trained to walk away from those thing that are not of God and as noted at the end of verse 15 I am to “Let no one disregard you.” I am someone in the eyes of God. I have been redeemed to be someone and for that I should celebrate daily. Those that are set in their ways of aggrandizing themselves, I should let them, although make sure that I know my part. For God is on my side and has redeemed me.

I am human and have emotions and of course want to be recognized for the work I do. I deserve to be treated with respect and treated fairly in the world around me. But, I should not look for my validation from the world. My redemption and validation comes from God. I was redeemed to be someone in the eyes of Him.

How much are you dependent on the approval of others? What things have you done that you may feel as though you were slighted on related to credit? Are you aware that the approval from the world does not matter as you were redeemed to be someone by God?

I find it interesting that we as a society look to those that are greater than us to “save” us from ourselves. It is hard to believe that there seems to be a submissive and dependent view of how we are to get along and make it in this world. Whether it be a government, CEO, pastor, community leader, or head of household, there is a sense of “need” from someone that is seemingly “better” than me.

Let’s take a look at Jesus. I for one am willing and committed to following Him. He has given me the gift of salvation and for that I am eternally grateful. But, the gift of salvation is just the beginning of my salvation and inheritance in heaven. God protects me and provides for my needs. He loves me unconditionally and guides me on the path He has set for me. And who is He, but God’s Son that took on the form of man to experience this world along with me.

“⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” – Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV)

Jesus, whereas He is God’s Son, is not much different from me. He experienced this life along side me and understood the difficulties of making it in this world. He was no “greater” than me as He worked as a carpenter and dealt with poverty and adversity just as I do. So when I look at Jesus as the one who gave my salvation, I am keenly aware that He only wants the best for me based on what He experienced alongside me.

I have to look also at that part that comes after salvation. Jesus saved me, and for that I am grateful. But now, I have work to do. I cannot just sit still and hope that Jesus will provide money so that I can buy food. I cannot expect Him to provide me with a bigger house and a more expensive car. I have to get out in the world and do the work. I have to take charge of making it happen.

God has given me a path and tasks to complete and it is my duty to work down that path and toward completion of the tasks. I should be asking for assistance with the work from God, however I should not be dependent on Him to do it for me. If that were the case, then there would be no need for the salvation given. God would just take care of everything and leave me out of it.

I am redeemed by the salvation given by Jesus. A man like me. Someone that experienced life as I do. Yes, He now resides in heaven and is great, but He wants me to join Him, not as a servant, but as His brother.

When you look at how your life is going, are you looking to others to provide for you? Are you dependent on someone who you believe to the “better” or “greater” than you? What do you think it would be like if you looked to someone like you for redemption, what about Jesus?

“⁹Now why do you cry aloud? Is there not king in you? Has you counselor perished, that pain seized you like a woman in labor? ¹⁰Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you shall go out from the city and dwell in the open country; you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued; there the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.” – Micah 4:9-10 (ESV)

When I read these verses, it comes to mind that the people are being sent away from the area that they live and feel comfortable. They are led there by God, and God knows that it will be difficult for them (“Writhe and groan…like a woman in labor”).

I know that I have been confronted with the opportunities to step away from the area of comfort I am in before. One of the biggest that comes to mind was accepting a job 1500 miles from where I grew up. God led Lori, the boys, and me there and we accepted, not knowing what to expect or what was to come of it. But God rescued us. He brought a church and people into our lives that made it seem as though we belonged. And we, as a family grew from the experience. Then, God brought us back to Texas and to the area we live now, again and provided people and church for us to lean on.

It was difficult for me to step away from what I knew and what was comfortable. God even knew it would be tough for me and us. But, He also knew that He would be rescuing and redeeming us from whatever was to come. We may not have been able to see it, or may never know it exists, but we were rescued, and for that we should be thankful.

God leads us on the path He has for us. We may not know where it leads or why He takes us there, but trusting Him is the only way to go.

When you are challenged with stepping out of your comfort zone, how do you react? Are you willing to trust that God has your redemption in mind? Will you follow God, even out of your comfort zone?

I a grown man and can take care of myself. I think that sometimes I believe the hype of that sentence a bit too much. I tend to take on things on my own and fall into despair as I realize that I need help.

“¹Thus says the LORD: ‘Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away. ²Why, when I came, was there no man; why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst. ³I clothe the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their covering.’” – Isaiah 50:1-3 (ESV)

Israel acted much like I do as they felt they could do things on their own and turned away from God. They took things on and then turned to others for help in working through things as opposed to turning to God. God was only an ask away and He was certainly there to help.

I find myself working to do things on my own. I presume that I just don’t want to bother God with what I feel are trivial things to deal with. Why should He get involved in something that I should be able to handle on my own. I have said on a number of occasions and believe them to be true that I have work to do. I hear the phrase “let go and let God”, and yet I still believe that I still have responsibility to do the work and make things happen.

But, “let go and let God” does not mean allowing God to do the work for me. It means that I should be asking for God’s help in dealing with whatever is in my life. I have to trust that He will restore my life to the place He wants it to be. In some cases, there is no restoration needed as I am where He wants me, I just need to trust Him to reveal to me why I am there.

I again refer back to the poem “Footprints in the Sand” by Margaret Fishback Powers. God is always with me, sometimes walking with me, and sometimes He carries me. God redeems me when I need Him to and He allows me to grow in those times when I need to grow. But, He is always there for me when I call. I trust that God is there for me and my redemption.

When you come on tough times, are you aware of God’s presence? Are you one that does not want to bother Him with your “trivial” items? Are you able to trust God’s redemption for you?

As I read this morning and study the word redeem, I wonder why I ask God for redemption. Obviously He is the only one that can redeem me, but why would I ask if not for selfish gain? Have I thought of it before? Am I asking for redemption to be spared the adversity or difficulty? The answer to those questions are difficult to answer without some reflection.

As I study redeem this morning I was led to Psalm 119. Here I found the answer that should be in my heart with regard to the questions above.

“¹³⁴Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts.” – Psalm 119:134 (ESV)

I should be asking for redemption, not for me, but for the glory of God. My role here in this world is to bring glory to God and to spread the Gospel. Man will constantly work to bring me down. I will experience the adversity and oppression and difficulty each day, and I should be asking for redemption so that I am restored and able to fight on. Not for me, but for God. I am His and in order to do His work I need to be in the best condition. Again, not for me, but for God.

As I look back at the questions I posed earlier, I reflect on my reasoning for asking for redemption. I am taking pause as to how I have been going about working for God. I am taken from me to God and looking at where my eyes are. I am asking for redemption as I should, and I need to be looking at if I am asking for me or to be able to work for God.

Why would you ask for redemption? Have I thought of it before? Are you asking for redemption to be spared the adversity or difficulty, or are you asking so that you can honor and work for God?

I seem to continue looking to those in the world for redemption and validation. I am from this world and feel as though here is where I should be getting my redemption.

In Psalm 69, David recognizes that the world and those in it are against him. He spends time lamenting at the difficulty he faces daily and calls out in general those that are against him. But, beginning in verse 13 he turns suddenly to acknowledge that only God can save him.

“¹³But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. ¹⁴Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. ¹⁵Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. ¹⁶Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. ¹⁷Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. ¹⁸Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies!” – Psalm 69:13-18 (ESV)

In the above verses David gives glory to God and asks for redemption that only He can give. David, in his position, still recognizes that God and only God can provide redemption. With the power and influence that David had, he could have “made” the people deal well with him, and to some degree he did as he went to war. But his going to war was sanctioned by God and God provided the victory. When David went to war without God, things did not go quite as he planned.

David was devoted to the love and provision that only God could provide. He recognized that the only place to get true redemption was from God and God alone.

I have to remember that my redemption comes from God and God alone. I should set out on journeys in life that are sanctioned by God and for His glory alone. What others think, say, or do in this world are only my concern as they relate to God and their acceptance of Him as their Lord and savior. I am His and He is mine and I must only lean on Him for my redemption.

When you look at your life, where are you looking for redemption and validation? Are you concerning yourself with those around you to bring you some sort of restoration? What if you were to look to God and God alone for your redemption?

There are times when I feel as though I am on my own to deal with adversity. I am on the receiving end of the worlds beat down. I feel abandoned.

This is not different than Psalm 44. The people of God felt as though God was not with them.

“⁹But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies. ¹⁰You have made us turn back from the foe, and those who hate us have gotten spoil. ¹¹You have made us like sheep for slaughter and have scattered us among the nations. ¹²You have sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them.” – Psalm 44:9-12 (ESV)

I know that it is not the intention of God for me to feel this way. I know that He is truly with me every day in all circumstances. I know that He loves me and wants nothing but the best for me.

He also wants me to grow stronger each and every day. He wants me to be the very best that I can be. God wants me to be strong and resilient. And how do I get there but through overcoming adversity. Fighting back against the worlds beat down. Leaning on His Word to build me up and give me the directions of how to deal with it all.

I have to remember this and lean on Him to get me through it all. Just as the people did in Psalm 44, I have to ask for to be redeemed.

“²⁶Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!” – Psalm 44:26 (ESV)

I come back to one of the keys to making a sale, one has to ask for the sale to get the sale. If you don’t ask, your chance of making the sale is minimal. I have to ask God to be redeemed. If I am not in the habit of asking for redemption, then the reality of God providing that redemption is minimal.

I am not saying, by any means, that God will abandon me. I am saying that if I am not asking, I may not be open to recognizing when that redemption is presented. I have to be willing to and I have to take the action of asking God. He has not abandoned me, He may simply allowing me to grow through the adversity of the situation. I am responsible for asking for that which I would like to have.

What is your approach when you are facing the difficulties in your life? Are you seeing them as growth opportunities or are you seeing them as the times that God abandoned you? What are your thought about asking for redemption?