One day when Ann was visiting her husband in the hospital, she began talking with a caregiver who was assisting him. Ann enjoys engaging people in conversation wherever she is, and she also looks for ways to talk to people about Jesus. Ann asked the caregiver if he knew what he wanted to do in the future. When he said he wasn’t sure, she suggested that it’s important to know God first so He can help with such decisions. He then pulled up the sleeve of his shirt to reveal “I am redeemed!” tattooed across his arm.
They realized that they shared a mutual love for the Lord Jesus Christ! And both had found ways to show their faith in the One who died to give us life.
The title of an old song by Steve Green says it best: “People need the Lord.” It’s up to us to find ways to share “the good news” with them (Ps. 40:9). Not everyone feels comfortable talking to strangers, and there is no one-size-fits-all method. But God will use our personalities and His light in us to spread His love.
“I am redeemed!” Let’s allow God to guide us to find ways to tell others about Jesus Christ, our Redeemer!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy—
His child, and forever I am. —Crosby
Insight
David had been through some tough times when he wrote Psalm 40, but God had answered his cries for help and deliverance (vv.1-2,12). Testifying to God’s faithfulness, goodness, and greatness, David calls on the congregation to join him in praising God (v.16). Knowing God’s requirement that the king of Israel personally know and fully obey God’s law (v.7; see Deut. 17:18-20), David recommits himself to knowing God’s Word and doing His will (Ps. 40:8). Thousands of years later, the writer of Hebrews quotes Psalm 40:6-8 and applies the words to Jesus (Heb. 10:5-7), affirming Christ’s total obedience to the Father when He came to this world as a man.