愛琳和耀仁的女兒潔恩出生幾個月後，就被診斷患有愛德華氏症，情況看似絕望。醫生評估潔恩最多只能活幾天或幾週，無情地說：「治療她並無多大意義。」但愛琳說：「我對潔恩有更大的盼望。」於是愛琳和耀仁把潔恩帶回家，愛她，並且向上帝禱告。

六年後，潔恩需動手術切除一顆巨大的腫瘤。那時，當年那位醫生走了進來，說：「我知道你們在想什麼，但我請你們再給我一次機會。」這位醫生坦承自己誤判了潔恩的狀況，並且說：「我希望能有一個彌補、贖罪的機會。」愛琳和耀仁本可拒絕，但他們曾經歷上帝赦罪的大能，所以願意饒恕對方。

舊約時代的眾先知經常傳講上帝審判的信息，但其中不斷交織著上帝的愛、饒恕與救贖的主題。例如先知以賽亞雖指出猶大人的罪（以賽亞書44章6-20節），卻隨即轉換焦點，宣稱上帝說：「你當歸向我，因我救贖了你」（22節）。上帝基於祂的本質，絕不會棄絕祂的百姓，祂藉著以賽亞說：「我造就你，必不忘記你」（21節）。因此，以賽亞發出呼籲：「諸天哪，應當歌唱！因為耶和華做成這事。⋯⋯耶和華救贖了雅各。」（23節）

後來，潔恩動了手術，並未發現任何腫瘤。醫生驚呼這真是奇蹟！這是禱告的力量，是上帝施行救贖的大能。

The situation looked hopeless for Amy and Alan’s infant daughter Jem. Born with a condition called trisomy-18, she was expected to die within days or weeks. “There’s no point in treating her,” the doctor said coldly. But her mother said, “I have bigger dreams for her.” They took Jem home and loved her. And they prayed.

Six years later, Jem needed surgery to remove a large tumor that had been found. Then—the same doctor walked in. “I know what you’re thinking,” he said, “but I’m asking you for a second chance.” He admitted he’d been wrong about Jem. “I’d like a chance at redemption,” he said. Amy and Alan might have said no. But they understood the power of God’s forgiveness.

The Old Testament prophets often carried a message of God’s judgment. But woven throughout that message is the irrepressible theme of God’s love, forgiveness, and redemption. Isaiah pointed out Judah’s sins (44:6-20) but suddenly shifted focus. Speaking God’s words, he said, “Return to me, for I have redeemed you” (v. 22). God’s character wouldn’t permit Him to abandon His people. “I have made you,” He said, “I will not forget you” (v. 21). The conclusion: “Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; . . . the Lord has redeemed Jacob” (v. 23).

Jem’s surgery found no tumor. “A miracle!” said the doctor. The power of prayer. The power of our redeeming God.