Yesterday was one of those days—full, intense, and honestly a little overwhelming. But in the middle of the chaos, God was teaching us something important: redemption isn’t just about salvation—it’s about restoration to original purpose.
Over the past few days here in the Bay Area, we’ve been visiting different churches. At one service, we heard a message on redeeming the firstfruits. At another, the sermon focused on redeeming the land, drawing from the book of Joshua. As I sat with all of this, I sensed the Lord pressing a third theme into my heart:
Redeeming the time.
Scripture shows us three key areas that require redemption:
1. Redeeming People (the Firstborn)
God established the principle of redemption early on—especially with people and the firstborn.
“Consecrate to me all the firstborn… Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.”
— Exodus 13:2, 13
People matter to God. Redemption brings people back to who they were created to be. Sadly, many have lost their way. Some are hesitant to engage in church or community because of past abuse, broken leadership, or misuse of authority. Scripture is clear that when God’s ways aren’t followed—whether personally, locally, or nationally—things stop growing and begin diminishing.
That diminishing is what the Bible often describes as a curse: separation, loss, and decay instead of life and multiplication.
2. Redeeming the Land
In Joshua, we see God restoring land to its intended purpose—land that had been polluted by injustice and disobedience.
“The land became defiled, so that I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.”
— Leviticus 18:25
This verse struck me deeply. God cares about land, environments, and systems. When sin goes unchecked, even creation responds. But thank God—we live under a new covenant of grace through Jesus Christ.
Still, grace doesn’t cancel responsibility. We are called to love, forgive, and walk in obedience.
“If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others… neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
— Matthew 6:14–15
Redemption flourishes where forgiveness lives.
3. Redeeming the Time
This is where the message landed for me personally.
“Look carefully then how you walk… making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
— Ephesians 5:15–16
To redeem time means to bring it back to its original purpose. Time isn’t meant to be wasted—it’s meant to be stewarded. That often looks like planning, discipline, and obedience, even when the task feels inconvenient or uncomfortable.
We redeem time by using each hour, each block, each moment to plant seeds—knowing those seeds will one day produce a harvest.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty.”
— Proverbs 3:9–10
The principle is consistent:
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If it’s money, I give it.
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If it’s time, I give it.
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If it’s talent, I give it.
Because God is faithful.
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”
— 1 Corinthians 3:6
God protects what we plant. He multiplies what we surrender. And in time, He brings joy through the harvest.
So today, my prayer is simple:
Lord, help us redeem what You’ve entrusted to us—people, land, and time—by bringing it all back to You, its rightful purpose.
Let’s walk in grace, forgive freely, plan wisely, and trust God with the increase.