What is Redemption?

The Oxford Dictionary describes it as:

"To regain a possession of something in exchange for payment"

Isaiah talks about redemption in Chapter 43, Verses 1 to 4

But now this is what the Lord says

He who created you, O Jacob. He who formed you O Israel

Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name.

You are mine.

When you pass through the waters I will be with you and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire you will not be burned and the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour...

You are precious and honoured in my sight and I love you.

In Isaiah Chapter 43, verse 1 God says 

Fear not for I have redeemed you

If we take something to a pawnshop, we unwillingly leave there an item we care about and it becomes no longer ours.

It stays there until we can repay the money and regain/redeem it.

God paid an enormous price to redeem us. He gave his only son to die on the cross as a payment for our freedom from sin and death.

When an item is redeemed from a pawnshop, to whom does it belong?

When two people enter a relationship they make a personal choice. If we want to enter into a relationship with God we have to make a personal choice.

God gave us freedom to decide and he waits with open arms for us to come to him no matter how hesitant we may be.

When we belong to God he tells us not to be afraid as we are his and he knows us by name and he loves us and he will be with us no matter how difficult our path may be.