Only permanent freedom is genuine.

Wednesday 8-24-2016   Home in Modesto

Scripture Reading:  Jer 33 - 34    Psalm 74    1 John 5

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Jer 34:10-11 Now when all the princes and all the people, who had entered into the covenant, heard that everyone should set free his male and female slaves, that no one should keep them in bondage anymore, they obeyed and let them go. But afterward they changed their minds and made the male and female slaves return, whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection as male and female slaves. NKJV

O.  Through Moses, God had decreed that every seventh year would be a year of Jubilee.  Property owners who had lost their properties through debts would receive them back and anyone who had been sold into slavery for any reason should be set free.  Now, as the Babylonian army is laying siege to Jerusalem, King Zedekiah makes an emancipation proclamation.  All slaves are to be set free!  At first the wealthy elite complied, setting free their male and female slaves.  But afterward they found it meant that they themselves would have to do their own work… and they chased down their former slaves and captured them again.

A.  I imagine myself as a slave, rejoicing at officially being set free, now beginning a new life from scratch.  With my little family we enjoy fresh hope… only to be chased down and be placed in chains again.  The devil is like those slave owners.  Under the pressure of God’s power to save, his slaves escape his power, but within a few days he is back trying to break down their door and enslave them once again. 

Chapter 25 of our book, “Argentina, A Love Story”* tells of our victories and heartbreaks as Frances and I attempted to lead a group of drug addicts out of slavery and into a relationship of freedom with Jesus.  The enemy does not give up easily.  Only Jesus can break Satan’s chains. 

P.  Lord, how cruel to release a slave and then chase him or her down again!  How devastating it would be to have one’s hopes crushed!  Only Your salvation breaks the power of cancelled sin and sets the prisoner free.  Jesus, You have allowed me to witness many slaves to be set free and stay free.  May I be Your ambassador for freedom and may I see many more of Satan’s slaves set free forever.  Amen.

Ralph

* Within a few days I hope to tell you how you can purchase this book if you wish.

He breaks the power of canceled sin, 
he sets the prisoner free; 
his blood can make the foulest clean; 
his blood availed for me.