Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe. (Ps. 107:2)
Charles Wesley was redeemed from death and sin on Pentecost Sunday, May 21, 1738. He was sick and staying in London with a friend. Later he told his story in the hymn “Where Shall My Wondering Soul Begin?” This song was one of the first of his thousands of hymns, one that expressed his newfound faith:
How shall I all to heaven aspire?
A slave redeemed from death and sin,
A brand plucked from eternal fire,
How shall I equal triumphs raise,
Or sing my great Deliverer’s praise?
Psalm 107 is also a psalm of worship and praise. As the Hebrew people were leaving Babylon, some of their faith story was written in this psalm. Some wandered in desert wastelands, hungry and thirsty. Some were prisoners in utter darkness. But the Lord redeemed them from their distress! Verses 8 and 9 are a congregational call to worship.
We too can give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love! Worship with the poetry and song of Charles Wesley. Worship by reading Psalm 107 out loud, noticing the poetry as you read. Worship in prayer pouring out your heart in praise. Thank God for all he has done for you. Thank him for sending his Son for your redemption and for how he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Linda Valente, a nurse practitioner, is the wife Wesleyan pastor Frank Valente. They have served together with Wesleyan Native American Ministries, as missionaries to Africa, and now as grandparents of three.
© 2022 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
