There is a great difference between the chattering of men and the speaking on God’s behalf. Many fill the air with words, claiming, decreeing, and demanding as though they were little gods, commanding the Almighty to obey their lips. But true redemption is not found in the clamorous noise of positive confession, it is found in the precious blood of Christ, who gave His life a ransom for many. That redemption is plenteous, full, and complete. Not a hoof is left behind; all who are in Christ are delivered from the curse of the law, for He was made a curse for us. When the blood was sprinkled, Israel went free; so the believing soul escapes the bondage of sin and Satan, not by demanding, but by trusting the Lamb slain.
Observe the difference between the faith that speaks and the presumption that claims. Faith says, “I am redeemed by the blood of Jesus, therefore I rest in His finished work and walk in humble obedience.” Presumption shouts, “I speak, I claim, I control, I demand,” as though the Almighty were a servant to our words. Yet where in Scripture are we taught to “edit into existence” our desires? The Holy Spirit lays bare the heart, revealing its corruption, and leads us to the cross where we find mercy. Redemption’s greatness is in its design, it was purposed from eternity, accomplished on Calvary, and applied by the Spirit. It is not a force to be wielded by human declarations.
You speak of being redeemed from curses, from secret traps, from lack of houses and vehicles. Oh, that you would first seek to be delivered from the root of all misery, the guilt and power of sin! The greatest curse is a heart that remains in rebellion, and Christ came to deliver us from this present evil world and from the wrath to come. Many seek carnal things with importunity, but neglect the eternal redemption of the soul. The poor body, indeed, shall be fully redeemed at the resurrection; but the chief redemption is from sin’s defilement. Plenteous redemption means every sin, every particle of guilt, is washed away. Not by your decree, but by His atonement.
Yet how often the arrow of despair is shot, and the enemy whispers that deliverance is not for you. But remember: “I have found a ransom” is God’s own word. He does not wait for your worthiness, nor does He hearken to loud repetitions, but to the cry of the penitent. Was it not when the publican smote his breast, saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” that he went down justified? There is no “I demand” in that prayer, only “merciful.” The noise of your demands is a smoke that chokes true prayer. The breath of the Almighty gives life; it is not manufactured by the creature.
I would urge you to search the Scriptures, for a mistake on this point will lead to a mistake throughout your entire belief. Some preach a general redemption that leaves men to imagine they may claim it at any time by their own fiat. But how dare any preach that? The design of Christ’s death cannot be frustrated; those He bought are effectually called. If you would know yourself redeemed, look not to your own words, but to the crucified One. Faith is the eye that sees the serpent lifted up; it is not a chant that brings the healing.
You desire deliverance for your mother, your children, your pets, this is natural affection, yet remember that redemption is personal. Each soul must be born again, not by proxy. You may speak on God’s behalf as a master of a family, yes, by your holy life and earnest witness, but you cannot decree salvation into them. Plead for them at the mercy seat, not as a commander but as a beggar. The Lord’s arm is not shortened, but He waits to be gracious until the heart is humbled.
Do you feel the shame and slander of the enemy, the nets laid in secret? So did David, who was the song of the drunkard. Yet he looked to the Lord, and his deliverance came. Not by demanding that Shimei be struck dumb, but by leaving his case to God. The warrior clad in the armor of faith is secure; no wound can harm him. Trust, my friend, trust, and cease from your own fancied power. Let your words be few and well ordered, filled with adoration, not assumption.
Consider Elihu, who felt the weight of speaking on God’s behalf. It is no light thing. Our children need no encouragement to talk, but the children of God are too often tongue-tied in prayer, and when they speak, they do so with reverent boldness, not presumptuous command. “I speak life,” you say, but only God can speak and it is done. Your place is to receive life through the Word, not to create it. The ordinances are wells of refreshment; go there, drink deeply, and let your soul be satisfied.
I would not deny the reality of spiritual warfare, but Christ has already triumphed over principalities and powers. You need not edit anything into existence; the victory is won. Your enemy is a defeated foe, though he rages. The serpent once twined around the tree of life, a glorious creature, but he fell. His head is bruised. Therefore, do not give him such prominence by your loud decryings; instead, rest in the shadow of the Almighty. The blood of Jesus speaks better things than your demands; it silences every accuser.
Remember, too, that the degrees of deliverance in this life may vary. Some are brought forth with silver and gold, as Israel from Egypt; others enter life crippled and maimed, as it were. It is better to enter into life feeble and poor than to run and leap in the broad way of destruction. If you have no house in your name, yet you have a mansion in heaven; if your vehicle fails, yet your soul is carried by angels; your chief treasure is Christ. Be content with such things as you have, for He has said, “I will never leave thee.”
What a mercy that redemption is plenteous, there is no limit to its power. All your sin, all your anxiety, all your sense of emptiness, can be swallowed up in this ocean of grace. But you must come as a receiver, not as a controller. The prodigal was received because he came confessing his unworthiness; the father’s love was ready, but the son had to return. Will you cease from your many words of self-assertion and simply believe? Than let your soul draw near to the grave, and then see how little your demands could accomplish. But let the Lord speak, “Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom,” and behold, his flesh becomes fresher than a child’s.
Therefore, I charge you: renounce this vain philosophy of speaking things into existence, which has more in common with sorcery than with the Gospel. Instead, plead the blood of Jesus with a broken heart. He gave His life a ransom for many, and if you are among those many, you will know deliverance, not by your clamor, but by His grace. In Him is life for the perishing, joy for the sorrowing, rest for the weary, and liberty for the captives. Put your trust in the Lord Jesus now, and you shall find that He has already done all things well. The redemption you need is finished, complete, eternal. Receive it as a free gift, and then walk in the light of it, with modest speech and grateful heart.