Psalm 146, Isaiah 42:14-21, Colossians 1:9-14

Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer. Apart from Him, we are all slaves and prisoners of sin and death. But His loving sacrifice changes everything. In Him we are saved. In Him we have “redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (v. 14).

Our spiritual wisdom and understanding enable us to “live a life worthy of the Lord” and to “please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work” (v. 10), growing in knowledge of God, being strengthened, and giving thanks. We are blessed with endurance, patience, and joyful thanks because our God has included us – qualified us — in “the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (v. 12). We are qualified only through God’s grace through Jesus Christ.

We are rescued from dark despair, ignorance, and hopelessness; we are brought into the kingdom of the beloved Son of God. We are forgiven. We are redeemed. Our heart is set on God and on things above. We can devote our mind, soul, will, and life to God. His grace is in our hearts; to His people He gives strength and power “according to his glorious might” (v. 11).

These verses address our past, our present, and our future. In Christ we are released from our guilt, we experience His rich blessings, and we look toward our heavenly inheritance of eternal life.

Bonnie Riechert, Chair and Associate Professor

Department of Public Relations, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences