My husband has often preached a beautiful Passover message about the Four Cups (Levels) of Redemption (as symbolized in the four cups of wine taken during the Passover Seder ceremony). The Lord not only saves us and forgives our sins, but He works within us to make us into vessels of honor that He can use to pour out His redemption to others as well. Here is the key verse from his message that is found in Exodus 6:6-7:
“Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the LORD; I will
1) bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians… (Save you from the oppression of sin),
2) rescue you from their bondage… (Break off the shackles of old habits, addictions, life baggage, etc.),
3) redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments… (Cleanse and heal and restore us to right relationship with Him), and
4) take you as My people, and I will be your God…’” (Adopts us as His own precious sons and daughters and makes us joint heirs with Christ in His Kingdom).
What a great and precious salvation He offers us! It is His gift to all who ask of Him.
If you are saved and love the Lord and have personally partaken of these four cups of redemption, I rejoice with you. But it is good to remember where He has brought us from, so we don’t lose that first love…that first enthrallment we felt in our soul when we were saved. (Rev. 2:4-5)
But if this idea is new to you, know that this cup of redemption is being held out even now for you. All you have to do is receive it and drink it in. Do you feel trapped in the heavy yoke of sin? The Lord wants to bring you out! Are you snared by bad habits, addictions, guilt, depression, etc.? The Lord is ready to rescue you right now! Do you have hurts in your heart that you don’t know how to heal? The Lord God is waiting to redeem you with His outstretched arm! Do you feel abandoned or alone in life? The Lord is yearning to take you and adopt you as His own son or daughter!
Let Psalm 116:3-4, 13-17 be your prayer to God today,
“The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the LORD: ‘O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!’…I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD…O LORD, I am Your servant…You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.”
Take a moment to thank Jesus again today for His four-fold gift of salvation to you. Revel in His deliverance! Sing and dance with the joy that only He can give! And may you have a blessed Passover celebration.
–dmrf