How Plentiful Redemption Speaks Directly to the Fog of Loss

“…with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” Psalm 130:7

I have come face-to-face with the meanings of the words sufficient, new, and surpassing. But I did not want to learn these adjectives experientially. I guess I preferred simply believing them to be true. More comfortable at a distance. I don’t like needing to heal. I don’t like loss. I didn’t want to need support. Understatements, no doubt.

A broken world delivers unwanted journeys. Unwanted grief comes in all shapes and sizes. If I can repeat one lesson it is that loss is loss. So don’t diminish or sidestep your loss. In the church, we do not do a very good job in helping people face varied losses with hope. To sidestep the topic of loss is to sidestep the topic of brokenness. If you ignore the illness, you do not seek a doctor (Mark 2:17). Face the brokenness and find the hope-filled cure. To sidestep the topic of loss or brokenness is to sidestep the topic of redemption.

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Better said, those not currently carrying the weight of loss do not recognize the depth or breadth of loss when others experience it. Loss can be pervasive and all-consuming; however, it is not to be endured without hope. Thick, yes. Foggy, yes. However, we need to learn how to face the fog of loss and help others face it, as well. And the gospel makes obsolete the need to hide or avoid the existence of loss. Again, to sidestep the topic of loss or brokenness is to sidestep the topic of redemption.

“…we somehow have the impression that grief is out of place in our society. We conduct a quiet conspiracy of silence against it.” Granger E. Westberg, Good Grief

It’s time to speak up about God’s answers to grief. In a broken world that gives rise to unwanted journeys, the gospel gives meaning and answers to loss. The gospel communicates resurrection power. So, even when I don’t want to have to experience and learn about words like sufficient—which pairs well with grace, new—which pairs well with mercies, and surpassing—which pairs well with peace, I know them to be true. I knew it before, but now I know them to be true experientially—reality added to theory. Practical and experienced. Jesus takes grace, mercy, and peace and delivers them personally to you. In abundance.

“You may feel lonely, but you’re not alone.” H. Norman Wright, Experiencing Grief

Sufficient grace, new mercies, and surpassing peace result from the unrivaled benefits of the redemptive story. As Psalm 130:7 states, “…with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.”

Plentiful redemption. Steadfast love.

The word plentiful communicates the idea of abundance or large quantities. Overflowing. Words such as rich and lavish come to mind. His redemption is plentiful. More than enough.

“The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find, none other is so loving, so good and kind.” Alfred H. Ackley, “He Lives”

Hope and help are copious when you turn to Christ during loss. He is loving, good, and kind to the one who mourns in the context of the gospel. He is faithful and can be trusted. Our task is to simply hold fast and revel in his plentiful redemption.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23