|
Some Americans were taken captive to a prison war camp in the Philippines during World War II. To get there, many of them had to survive what was known as the death march. This was 1942.
They were made to march about 65 miles from the Bataan Peninsula to the camp. It was a brutal horrible march. The prisoners were exhausted and starved and endured violence from their captors. Once they arrived at the camp, the harsh treatment continued. But by 1945 there were still some survivors when the enemy was defeated by the Allies.
Then one day something weird began to happen. The guards walked away from the camp. Left! The prisoners appeared to be free but they weren’t sure what they could do. Then all of a sudden American Rangers stormed into the camp to rescue them. They found the POWs in terrible condition in their bodies and emotions. But now they could walk out of there in freedom.
One of the prisoners had become blind because of a vitamin deficiency so he couldn’t even see those who had come to set them free. He refused to go because he thought it was another deception by their captors. They had done so many deceptive things to them in the past.
He didn’t want to get up and start walking out just to be shot in the back. Then here’s what happened. One of the soldiers who was from the South walked up to this prisoner and said with his southern accent, “What’s wrong with you? Don’t you want to be free?” This prisoner who had been a captain in the Army was from Alabama. So he recognized the southern accent of the soldier. Now he knew it was true.
He began to smile and got up and began to walk in freedom. But you see it wasn’t until he recognized the voice of freedom that he could receive freedom.
We can feel as that prisoner. The devil has done so much to deceive and harm us. He’s caused us unhappiness or problems, or harassed us to the point it’s hard to recognize the voice of freedom.
When God comes to us from His Word and says we are healed from that affliction, because it has caused us so much trouble and pain, it can be hard to believe that word of freedom.
When He says we don’t have to be burdened because His yoke isn’t heavy, it’s hard to brush off the burden we feel.
He tells us He came to give us a life of abundance, yet, when we hear we can be free of financial strain, it’s difficult to feel it’s true for us.
We can read how God promises our children will return to the ways of God, how He says we can have peace in our life, have joy, express the gifts and talents He’s given us, perform great in our career, be successful and victorious, be a great witness for Him and grow in Him.
We can read all of that, but, oh, when we have felt in bondage to those things, as if all the control of our life is gone, it can be hard to recognize the voice of freedom.
Yet the Word of God is speaking the voice of freedom to you every day. He’s showing you how you can walk free as you believe His Word to you. No more are you in the prison camp after enduring the horrible march and the conditions.
He is saying to you the same thing that soldier said to the prisoner, “What’s wrong with you? Don’t you want to be free?” He is telling you that you CAN be free. Recognize His voice this day!
Determine you will walk in freedom no matter how rough the going has been. He knows the going has been rough. Oh, my beloved one, He’s saying, I understand how rough it has been. But it’s over now and you can have freedom!
Oh thank You, God, it’s over now. It’s over for them now. They can walk in freedom. This is what You’re saying to them. Yes, my friend, you can have freedom from the challenges and bad events and needs. He’s calling you out. Can you hear His voice? He’s calling you out of that prison.
The soldiers were calling that prisoner out of the prison camp but he wasn’t trusting them. Then when he heard a familiar voice, he was ready to go. The voice of the Lord is a familiar voice to you. He’s calling you out of those prison conditions and setting you free. Walk in freedom today!
Spiritual Powerline to say out loud:
“I WALK IN FREEDOM!”
Here is a powerful prayer to say out loud:
Oh Lord, I hear Your voice! You are telling me that I am free from this trouble. This need, the pain, the disappointment cannot keep me prisoner. I am not captive but I am walking into great victory! In the name of Jesus. Amen.
|