“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” Galatians 4:4-5
When the Republic of Haiti gained its independence from France in 1804, the country of France demanded that Haiti compensate them for its loss of men and the slave colony they had created. France demanded 150 million francs which is equivalent to roughly $21 billion in today’s dollars. In 1838 France agreed to reduce the debt to 60 million francs to be paid over a period of 30 years and in 1883 Haiti made the final payment. Haiti paid its ransom to the French and that debt coupled with evil leaders plagued Haiti into the condition they are in today. Ransom, the largest amount of money ever paid for a ransom according to the Guinness Book of World Records was between 1532-33 when the Inca tribe of Peru paid $170 million in gold and silver to Francisco Pizarro for the release of their king, Atahualpa.
These are both huge amounts of money to pay for a ransom. Take a close look at the child in the attached photo. Suzette is the little girl that I am holding and we are standing in front of her house near Torbeck which is located in the Southwest part of Haiti about seven miles west of Les Cayes. She and her family of five live in this small stick house with a dirt floor and roof that leaks when it rains. How much ransom would you pay for the life of Suzette? It seems to me that the Guinness Book of World Records is wrong; the largest payment for a ransom belongs to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who paid with His life for you, Suzette and all that believe in Him. We are REDEEMED!
Back in 2001, her school was not yet blessed with a feeding program, but she is REDEEMED!! Her future, and your future is set, our ransom has been paid in FULL. Because of Jesus' payment for our ransom, we are redeemed. I heard this song recently by the Legacy Five, ‘Stand Redeemed’ and it reminded me how valuable His sacrifice on Calvary is for each of us every day here on earth, but more importantly when life here comes to an end and we go to our Heavenly home.
“When I think of all my faults and my failures; when I consider all the times I've let God down I am humbled by the grace He has extended. I'm amazed at the mercy I have found I could never earn His love on my own yet every time I come before His throne. I stand redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. I stand redeemed before the great I Am. When He looks at me, I sees the nail scarred hands that bought my liberty; I stand redeemed! Even at my best I am unworthy; I have nothing precious I can give. A broken life is all I have to offer; and yet it's a priceless gift to Him. The bitter mark of sin will never fade away but I can come before Him unashamed. I stand redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. I stand redeemed before the great I Am. When He looks at me, I sees the nail scarred hands that bought my liberty; I stand redeemed!”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay