“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36).
When we speak of slavery, many people are revolted, because of the way the system used to exploit those who were under captivity. A slave is ever bonded to serve his master and has no other obligations other than pleasing him. Slaves would serve under a heavy rod and yet would not be paid for their services.
Fortunately, this horrible practice was abolished in 1833 in England; in the US in 1864; until it was completely declared by virtually all nations as illegal. Yes, there are still places where human beings are owned and tasked to do jobs for their owners for free, but the practice is most rare to find nowadays and prohibited under international law.
But while slavery was long abolished, yet, fact is, there are also other forms of slavery that have since substituted and are still with us today. Have you realized that someone could be a slave to money, his job, a car, or some fanciful possession? In this case the person lives to serve that thing which is taking his entire occupation. Just like with slavery, the person, has no other life but serving that thing which is his sole object in life.
One of the privileges we have attained in the Christian life, is freedom. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1). Paul had observed that in spite of their new found freedom in Christ, certain believers were getting trapped into all sorts of laws, living as though Christ had never set them free!
It is a sad thing when someone who has been set free returns to his gallows in spite of the price and sacrifices it took to set him free. As believers we ought always be conscious of this freedom and live to avoid all sorts of entanglements which can lock us back into slavery. As Psalm 119:45, says, “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts”!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, creator of heaven and earth, I want to thank you for the freedom I have in you, which was bought by the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, and today I pray to walk in that freedom, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
