“The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.” (Psalm 34:22)

God had made it clear in Psalm 34:21 that the wicked would be punished. The word there means “pay, suffer for one’s guilt, be held guilty, bear punishment.” But it is significant that this SAME Hebrew word is used in this next verse, :22, of what will NOT happen to the one who takes refuge in Him!  

God is a God of perfect justice, who can by no means skip over the punishment due evil.  This should cause each of us to soberly face our state before Him (see yesterday’s devotion on Psalm 34:21). But the good news is that this God of justice is also a God of love, who sent His Son, the Messiah, to “redeem” the soul of His servants, by bearing their sins in His body, and taking their punishment upon Himself.  (I Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53)

As a result, Psalm 34:22 asserts, “NONE of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”  He will NOT “find guilty, or make pay, or give punishment to”, ANYONE who takes refuge in Him.  So our choice is clear: if you attempt to hide behind your own righteousness, your sin and guilt will be exposed, and your punishment will be certain.  But if you admit your need, and “take refuge” in the Lord by trusting Jesus as your Savior, then God will by no means find you guilty.

It is a comforting word to all who have come to Jesus: “NONE of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned”!