Have You Been Set Free?

January 10, 2023

By Brooke Holt

“Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: ‘I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness’”. Isaiah 42:5-7

These prophetic words from Isaiah originally spoke of Israel’s liberation from the bondage of Babylon. Freedom would not come by their might, strength, or intellect but only through the mighty work of the Lord. The One who created the heavens and the earth, humankind, and every living creature would also be the One to work on behalf of his people. Through his work of deliverance, God would be glorified. Those who had been in darkness would be set free and would then shine God’s light for all people to see. For those in such darkness, they could cling to this glorious promise as they awaited its fulfillment.

As promised, the Lord did set the prisoners free from Babylonian tyranny. Thankfully, these words of Isaiah did not just apply to those Israelites but also to us today. Isaiah longed for the day when God would set all his people free from the bondage of sin and death. Jesus came to accomplish that. The righteous Son of God fulfilled God’s covenant of salvation! Jesus was and is the light for the nations; Jesus opened and opens the eyes of the blind; and Jesus did and does set prisoners free – free from sin, death, and all the forces of darkness.

For those of us in Christ, we celebrate for we are these liberated people! The Lord breathes his Spirit into us so that: we can live in his righteousness, live as God’s covenant people, and be a light to the nations as ones who do his miraculous work. The Lord longs to see prisoners set free! Today, he wants you and me to join him in that work. Just as we have been set free, we can be God’s instruments to lead others to spiritual freedom.

Reflection:

How are you allowing God’s Spirit to work in you for liberation today? How might the Lord want to use you even more throughout 2023? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

In our six-week small group Bible study on the book of 1 John, you are invited to live and celebrate true life in Christ. Throughout his first letter, John wrestles with the assurance of salvation. How do we know that we are genuine Christians, and how can we recognize authentic faith in others? The Apostle John taught that you can enjoy full assurance through believing in the incarnate Son of God, walking in the light of obedience, and loving God and his children. Embark on this study with us today!

Waters of Baptism