Shackles of despair wrapped round and round my heart, my mind. Taunts from the enemy mocked me saying, “Where is your God?” My head dropped. Tears brimmed and flowed, washing my face with liquid pain.
And then this happened.
The Spirit of God rose up within me like the mighty Lion of Judah, His roar paralyzing the enemy, breaking the powerful chains of Satan’s merciless attack. The Lord set me free from the destruction, the power of His blood flowing over my wounds and making me whole again.
But, I must learn to stand fast in the victory — the freedom — from the chains that held me bound.
[bctt tweet=”I must learn to stand fast in the #victory — the freedom — from the chains that held me bound. @NanJonesAuthor” username=”inspireafire”]
And so must you.
In Galatians 5:1, Paul exhorts the church to “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
Stand fast. Don’t be entangled again…
Paul is referring to the grace Jesus has given versus the religious law of the Pharisees, but as I wrestle with my own demons of despair and heartbreak, and become entangled once again in this yoke of bondage, the Lord reminds me of this verse. Often.
Why? Because He has set me free from the enemy’s clutch and has brought me through many turbulent waters. Healing has gone deep, restoration has begun. And yet there are days when I don’t stand fast in His victory, but instead surrender to Satan’s attempt to defeat me.
Why? Why do I do that? Why do any of us do that?
The chains have been broken.
Satan no longer has a hold on me.
And yet, there are days I struggle to stand my ground and walk in the freedom Christ has provided.
[bctt tweet=”There are days I struggle to stand my ground and walk in the freedom Christ has provided. @NanJonesAuthor #ChildOfGod” username=”inspireafire”]
This I know and these things I remember:
- If God is for me, who can dare to be against me?
- I am a child of the Most High God.
- I am the apple of His eye, His special treasure.
- Greater is He that is in me, than He that is in the world.
- And when I called out to the Lord in my distresses, He heard me. He delivered me. And He set me free.
Freedom. What a glorious thought — a spirit set free from the shackles of painful destruction because our God loves us fiercely.
As in all things, we have a choice.
I choose hope. I choose to trust the One in whom I have believed. I choose God’s promises, His providence.
And I choose freedom — the freedom that is mine through the precious Blood of the Lamb.
Will you join me?
[bctt tweet=”When Christ Breaks the Chains, Stand Fast in His Freedom @NanJonesAuthor #FreedomInChrist” username=”inspireafire”]
Beautifully written, Nan.
Powerful words of truth!