Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.
Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. - Psalm 107:1-3,17-22
We don't always get the result that can be logically tied to our actions. Actions have consequences. The odds would often predict a different result. Sometimes we expect better. The well-intentioned effort by us doesn't work out and we are left empty handed. Sometimes we expect worse. The petty words spoken or the lazy try seems to work out well and we are left with unexpected blessing. But that's why we live life, leaving the outcome in the hands of God.
It is the surprise happy outcome that fills out the meaning of "redeemed". Based on our foolish actions, our future had been mortgaged by our rebellious ways and now the time has come for the consequences. When we realize how we have been, sadness and hopelessness sets in "they loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.". But then someone steps in and pays the karmic debt and we are left suddenly free.
How often I have benefited this rescue? Jesus kept from me the natural, logical result of my own stupidity and wrong-headedess. And I know it is stupid and I am so worried about how bad things are going to be because of it. Then Jesus steps in and lifts the burden from me. I can breathe and am so grateful. This is what it means to be "redeemed"
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