“The Lord redeems the life of his servants…

…none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.“

This is the final verse of the 34th Psalm. My heart is always stirred when I read it. It is so full of the gospel.

What do we learn here? We learn that Jesus Christ is a better “refuge“ than all other people, all other places, and all other things. Do you know this?

I draw your attention to these words: “Redeems.” “Refuge.” “Not Condemned.”

These words are so important for you to believe and to claim in your life.

1. Redeems. You know what that means. It means to purchase – to do what it takes to buy you back. The New Testament tells us this was the work of Jesus Christ for his people!

You know the passages, don’t you?

Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’”

1 Peter 1:18-19 “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”

What a price he paid for us! Having lived the life we should have lived, He then surrenders himself to die the death we deserve to die, in order to ransom and redeem us for God.

2. “Not condemned.” He says in verse 21 – just the previous verse - that “those who hate the righteous will be condemned.” Who are they? They are the enemies of God and the enemies of His people. They will be found guilty in their opposition to God. And I hope that you are not among them!

But what does he say about those who take refuge in him? There is a legal or forensic reality applied to you. You are forgiven!

Is that really true? This is the exultation of the apostle Paul at the beginning of Romans 8! Do you have this verse memorized?

Romans 8:1. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

The Judge of all the earth will say of you that you are not guilty. Why not? It is because you are “in Christ.” What has Jesus done for you? Once again: “He has lived the life you should have lived. He has died the death you deserve to die.” In what we call his “active obedience” he satisfies the justice of God by obeying the law perfectly. In what we call his “passive obedience,” he surrenders his life and goes to the cross to take the punishment you deserve.

One old hymn says: “No merit of my own, his anger to suppress, my only hope is found in Jesus' righteousness."

David didn't understand this fully when he wrote Psalm 34, but The New Testament shows that these words are prophetic. This word “redeemed“ and the words “not condemned“ are accomplished by the wounds of Jesus Christ.

And that’s why I love so much this third word:

3. Refuge.

What is a refuge? It is a place of safety, comfort, security and protection. What do you look to for refuge? I am prone to look to many people, places or things for my safety and security. So are you.

But those who believe the Christian gospel have found what I believe is the ultimate Refuge.

Colossians 3:3 says "you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

What does the word “hidden” signify? It’s like those bomb shelters that were designated as safe in case there was a nuclear bomb when I was a kid. We would be hidden and safe in them, and if necessary, we would have taken refuge in them!

Jesus says, “whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” Have you taken refuge in Him?

I hope so. If you want to know more about this “Refuge,“ I’m happy to talk anytime.

Musings from Pastor John, May 17