“The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” (Psalm 34:22)
Two promises are in this verse. First, we have the work of the LORD: He redeems the life of his servants. Second, we have the promised freedom from condemnation for all who take refuge in him.
First, we have the work of the LORD stated: He redeems the life of his servants. The LORD (Yahweh) redeems the life of his servants. He buys them for himself and in purchasing them he takes ownership of and responsibility for them. In the New Testament, we learn that the cost of this redemption is the death of his Son. Ephesians 1:7-8 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight…” Yahweh does the work of purchasing and delivering us for himself through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are in Christ, you are redeemed.
Notice, not everyone is redeemed; only the LORD’s servants are redeemed. You will not be redeemed if you will not gladly belong to the LORD. Who is it that belongs to the LORD? The answer is in the next promise of this verse: none of those who take refuge in the LORD will be condemned.
The servants of the LORD are those who take refuge in him. They run into him and are safe from his wrath and condemnation. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10).
From what danger do the servants of the LORD seek refuge? The verse answers for us: condemnation. As sinners, we stand before the LORD, the perfect Judge, justly condemned apart from Christ. We deserve his wrath in separation from him in eternal hell. Yet, the answer to separation is to come through Jesus Christ to the Father. Christ suffered in the place of the unrighteous to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). All who do not take refuge in him will be condemned. None who take refuge in him from the wrath to come will be condemned.
Are you one of the LORD’s servants? Have you run to him for refuge from the wrath to come? If so, he has redeemed your life; you will never be condemned. It is certain. If you are not his servant, then run away from the coming wrath by running to the LORD for refuge and you will not be condemned. If you refuse to come to him, you will be condemned; this is a promise, also.
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