“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.’” Isaiah 48:17 (ESV)
Are you waking up today with a serious case of the Mondays?
Does your life feel like a prison that is keeping you bound in chains of grief, shame, guilt, and sin? Sometimes we need a good reminder of how free we are and why praise and thankfulness should always be on our lips.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (Ephesians 1:3-10, ESV)
In verse four we see that we are chosen by Him for a purpose. Each and every one of us has been handpicked by God our Father. Whatever binds or chains are holding you down today, God wants to remove them. God sent His only son to be a sacrifice so you would not have to bear the weight of these chains anymore. We are free because of the grace (undeserved love) God has given us in Jesus Christ.
We are no longer all alone. We are united with the Father, Son, and Spirit (vs.10). We have victory in Christ Jesus over our sins, our past, our guilt, our shame. We are free to be transformed and reborn by the blood of Jesus, Hallelujah!
“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.’” (Isaiah 48:17, ESV)
Praise God our Redeemer, our Savior, let us seek His face today. Let us have praise and thanks for Him on our lips today, and in our hearts and souls.
Lord, let us profit from seeking You, so we may be blessed with Your presence, Your Holy Spirit to guide us, and direct us, and pray for us. May You lead our way today, out of the prison we have created into freedom in you. Let us be free in your mercy, your love, free from ourselves. In the mighty and wonderful name of Jesus, Amen!
Question: What in your life is holding you down like a chain to a prison wall? Will you take this thing and repent of it, and lay it at the feet of Jesus?
by Daniel Forster
used by permission