June 7

So thank God for His marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves; He shattered the heavy jailhouse doors, he snapped the prison bars like matchsticks”! Psalm 107:15-16 (MSG)

Oh, the prisons we find ourselves in: prisons of people’s judgments against us, fear of what they may think, lies that have been told. Add in our own prisons of self-rejection, self-doubt, self-hatred—additional lies that keep us locked up and alone. Self-imposed solitary confinement can be tough. We choose it because it feels safer to live behind these bars of iron we erect, but it can be a lonely way to live.
 
We close the door to everyone around us not wanting to risk the damage they may inflict through rejection or betrayal.  We close the door to our own heart at the same time—slamming it shut to any belief we may have in our own ability to change, or that our future could be any different from what we have always known. After all, if someone else isn’t hurting us, we can easily find ways to fill the position ourselves. Until He comes that is. Jesus, Our Saviour, Deliverer, Redeemer and Friend.
 
You see, chosen child—one look—one long and loving look from the God Who knows you so well, and loves you with passion, pure and sweet—and those long-standing prison bars are snapped in two. How can they survive the depth of devotion, caring, and compassion He has for you?
 
You are His beloved one, His bride. No lie can stand in the presence of this liberating truth. No power is greater than the manifestation of His redeeming love.
 
The One who loves you with all that He is, has come for you. He will fight for you with all His might; His mercy flooding in where your faith has let go. You, and your very lovely heart, are His treasure and delight.
 
Reach out your hand and feel Him close. Hear the songs of deliverance He is singing over you even now. Then follow that sound of love until you are free. And free, cherished one, is who He created you to be!

Prayer:
 
Jesus, You are my Redeeming King. You fight for me when everyone else walks away. When words fail from others, or fall short, You know exactly what to say.
 
You alone see the prisons I am in today—the ones I am aware of and the ones I cannot see. And You have come, in the fullness of Your love, to set me free.
 
Give me courage Lord to follow You out of the prisons I am in. Though it feels impossible to me right now, it is nothing to You. Spirit, soul, and body—in every area of bondage—You know just what to do!
 
Strong and Mighty One, I wait and watch for You and for Your promised breakthrough. You have a thousand ways to heal and deliver me, Lord. Bring them all in their fullness today Jesus, for free in every way, because of Your redeeming love, is what I so long to be!