In the children’s book series How to Train Your Dragon, the protagonist Hiccup has a cousin named Snotlout who’s as mean as they get. Snotlout is determined to inherit the tribal chieftaincy in Hiccup’s place, and embarks on a number of schemes to sabotage his cousin. But Hiccup consistently chooses to reach out to Snotlout. Even after Snotlout’s father rejects him for his wickedness, Hiccup doesn’t give up on him. Eventually, Hiccup’s faith is rewarded as Snotlout shows the colors of a true friend.
Snotlout reminds me of Korah (Numbers 16:1). Although God had given the Levites special access to perform various roles within the sanctuary, Korah wasn’t satisfied. He envied the leadership status granted to Moses and Aaron. In time, he managed to incite several other tribal elders to rebel against them (Numbers 16:2).
God judged this rebellion with a spectacular show of force, wiping out fallen leaders and followers alike. But “the sons of Korah did not die” (Numbers 26:11). Although Korah instigated the uprising, his family wasn’t destroyed.
Fast forward a bit and Korah’s name pops up again. His descendants were still stirring up the people. Only this time, they were doing it in a good way—seeking God’s glory and none for themselves. Humility and contentment replaced arrogance and envy. In a song, they declared, “A single day in [God’s] courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked” (Psalm 84:10).
God saw past an ancestor’s pride and preserved generations of worshipers. No matter your past or that of relatives who have come before, He can redeem and restore those who have fallen.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 6:1-13
More:
In 1 Timothy 1:15, note how Paul—one of the greatest leaders in the early church—described himself.
Next:
How has God revealed His redeeming ways to you? What does it take to receive the restoration and redemption He offers to even the worst of sinners?
Gary Shultz on July 14, 2016 at 6:33 am
Remi, it is good to be reminded of redemption. It is good to know that our place has been purchased at a high price and once redeemed we can never be sold back. Just as God’s mercies are new each day the funds for redemption are available and inexhaustible. We may on our accord pull away from God, but God is fully aware of what has been paid for us and will never allow a repurchase agreement no matter how hard one tries, we have been redeemed. May we live more like our price tag would indicate. Thanks Remi.
gagirllive on July 14, 2016 at 8:04 am
So beautifully stated, Gary!
remioyedele2015 on July 14, 2016 at 10:21 am
Amen – thank you, Gary!! I agree with gagirl – beautifully stated! 🙂
hsnpoor on July 14, 2016 at 11:26 am
That is a prayer I would like to join you in and one I do believe our Heavenly Father will gladly answer in the affirmative….Lord, may we live more like our price tag would indicate. Yes & Amen!
gagirllive on July 14, 2016 at 8:03 am
Remi, this is one of those Old Testament stories that you never forget once you’ve read it. It’s a huge lesson on what the LORD thinks about envy, pride, and rebellion. I can relate to the stigma that must have somewhat accompanied the descendants of Koran for a time. My own father left quite a stain of reproach on our family…one with which the enemy still tries to taunt me from time to time. How encouraging to read this little verse tucked away in Numbers 26 as to how the LORD preserved a posterity from that time of rebellion and judgement. God uses Korah’s foolishness to serve as a backdrop of His incredible love, grace, and redemption. The sons of Korah would no longer carry the stigma of their father but would be remembered as worship songwriters for the praise of God’s glory! Truly our God is a redeeming God. Long before He sent the Redeemer into the world He was manifesting His redemptive purposes in the lives of His people. I’m encouraged by this story as I consider my own life and where I’ve come from. My earthly father didn’t leave a good legacy, but in Christ I have a godly heritage. My family’s shame nor my own past does not define me. Only God can tell me who I am. Praise God—I am redeemed! Thanks for sharing this wonderful truth with us today, Remi. Grace, peace, and love be multiplied to you, dear sister, and to all who visit here today.
remioyedele2015 on July 14, 2016 at 10:23 am
Gagirl, that is such a beautiful analysis! It really brings the truth of the message to life. Thank you so much for sharing and please never forget that the only heritage that truly matters is the one we have in Christ Jesus. Be blessed, dear sister.
hsnpoor on July 14, 2016 at 11:33 am
Someone named Jessy Dixon wrote a song about this that I hope will be a blessing for all to add to this terrific devotion this morning:
I AM REDEEMED
I am redeemed, bought with a price,
Jesus has changed my whole life.
If anybody asks you, just who I am,
tell them I am redeemed.
Verse 1
Where there is hate, love now abides,
where there was confusion, peace now reigns.
I’m a child, child of the King,
it’s all because I am redeemed.
Chorus
Verse 2
I’ll tell of His favor, I’ll tell of His love,
I’ll tell of His goodness to me.
He purchased my redemption with His own precious blood,
and from sin I’ve been set free.
Chorus
Verse 3
There’s no shackles on me, I’m as free as I can be;
because Jesus changed my life.
He died up on the cross,
that’s why I can tell the world that I am redeemed.
Chorus
Verse 4
If you run across anybody that used to know me,
tell them I’m doing fine.
The last time that you saw me,
I was lifting up holy hands,
I’ll tell them I’ve been redeemed.
gagirllive on July 14, 2016 at 11:44 am
Amen, hsnpoor. Beautiful lyrics! We have a song that even the angels can not sing…it’s the song of the redeemed!
hsnpoor on July 15, 2016 at 11:58 am
Amen!
Tom Felten on July 14, 2016 at 8:15 am
God’s grace compels us to leave room for God to work in the hearts of others. This isn’t always easy, particularly when people have been unkind or hurtful to us. (And I’m not suggesting anyone stay in a place of danger or abuse with a person who’s out of control.) But as we display the grace of God to others, cold hearts can melt, lives can change, and it’s all to God’s glory. I’m witnessing this very thing in the life of a friend. Grace is truly amazing!
remioyedele2015 on July 14, 2016 at 10:24 am
Thank you, Tom…incidentally, I find myself exactly in the place that you have described. It isn’t at all easy to forgive and let go of the past, but I know that God is at work, and I thank Him for the grace to participate in the beautiful story of redemption.
Be blessed,
Remi
alexaoj on July 14, 2016 at 8:43 am
“Redeem how I love to proclaim it, redeem by the blood of the Lamb. Redeem through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am. (chorus) redeem, redeem, redeem by the blood of the Lamb. Redeem, redeem, His child and forever I am. This is my Pastor’s favorite hymn. Thank you sister Remi for your timely and encouraging devotion. Stay bless everyone.
remioyedele2015 on July 14, 2016 at 10:26 am
Thank you for sharing those beautiful lyrics, alexa! We would all do well to remind ourselves of the power of God’s redemption – both in our lives and those of the people around us.
Be blessed,
Remi
godlove on July 14, 2016 at 1:21 pm
What an amazing God we have, He can be really furious with us when we go against Him and against His will but His loving nature always comes through in the end. For God so loves us that He went as far as to sacrifice His only Son in order to redeem us from our sins. Amazing grace indeed. Oh that we may take after God’s loving heart. Thank you Remi.