Jeremiah 50:34

New International Version (NIV)

Yet their Redeemer is strong;
the Lord Almighty is his name.

For meditation

Professional wrestling used to be one of my favorite sports. Champions like the charismatic Hulk Hogan, the Undertaker, Randy Savage (Macho Man), Andre the Giant, The Rock, and Triple H kept me glued to the TV at every opportunity. It’s a sport that brings the savage side of human beings live on stage to entertain viewers. I love how a well beaten fighter, lying completely limp, would suddenly turn the tables and pin the other person down for the full count. But my best part is when two fighters have a single opponent in a very bad mess until a champion comes to his rescue from the dressing room, and the crowd goes wild.

The prophet Jeremiah paints a similar picture of the oppressed people of Israel and Judah at the mercy of their captors (Jer. 50:33).He declares with certainty, “Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is His name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that He may bring rest to their land” (34).

Sometimes we forget that our Redeemer is the strongest person in the entire universe. We get ourselves entangled in some mess and allow people, circumstances, and situations to intimidate us. It’s easy to forget who our Redeemer is at such times. Jeremiah says He is the Lord Almighty! All power and might belong to Him. Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar tasted His vengeance in ways that humbled them.

The ultimate redemption took place on Calvary where they nailed our Savior to the cross. There, the final deal was made for our salvation (Jn. 19:30). On the third day, when hell continued to celebrate the death of Jesus, He rose with a roar and overcame death. Our Redeemer destroyed “him who holds the power of death – that is the devil – and [freed] those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Heb. 2:14-15). Paul puts it this way: “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14).

1. What situation has you pinned down in a submission hold?
2. Is everything looking dark and gloomy for you?
3. Has everybody said it is over for you?
4. Has the celebration begun in the enemy camp?
5. What do you think will happen when your Redeemer steps in with vengeance?

I pray you remember the prayer of blind Samson in the arena of the Philistines in his final hour. “O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more” (Judges 16:28). That’s the prayer your Redeemer is waiting for.

So: May you be assured that Jesus will vigorously defend your cause and bring you the victory (Jer. 50:34); and may you cry to Him in your weakness, but with strong faith in His Almighty strength to free you this time also.

Shalom