“You in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation.” Exodus 15:13

Trade It In

Walk His Way Revisited

Have you ever had a yard sale? You scour your house and garage for the stuff you don’t want any more. It’s often useless, worthless junk—to you. But along comes a buyer who knows the worth of things, and he offers an exorbitant sum. What just moments ago had no value to you, now has immense value, all because someone has offered to pay for it. You had put a “Free Junk” sign on it; but a great price was paid, and now the true value has been set.

The one who pays for something is the one who declares its value. Of course, we are speaking of people. Jesus Christ redeemed us and made the payment of blood shed for our sins, redeeming us from the enemy and buying us back for Himself. We may have hung a “Junk” sign on our lives, but Christ set our value and paid the price. Now, we belong to Him who bought us.

What other things does Scripture want to redeem besides our souls? Things that are worthless are traded in, so to speak, for something of great worth.

The old life is traded for the new life.

            Darkness is traded for light.

                        Sorrow is traded for the joy of the Lord.

                                    Pain is traded for healing.

Mourning is traded for dancing.

            Want and need are traded for abundance.

                        Fear is traded for faith.

                                    Fatigue is traded for rest.

Weakness is traded for strength.

            Brokenness is traded for wholeness.

                        Shame is traded for a lifted-up head.

                                    Confusion is traded for understanding.

Scripture tells us about so many more “trades” available. These are things the Lord does for us as we give up the lesser aspects of our lives and allow Him to work in us the character of His Son.

I won’t deny it’s a rough road sometimes. We are so comfortable right where we are! But wouldn’t it be wonderful to trade what is “less than” for what is “more than”? Let’s ask Him to do this work in our lives.

Lord, I confess I don’t even know what I need sometimes. But You have planned great and mighty things for me. You desire wholeness in me, and so I willingly trade my lack for Your abundance in all these things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.