April 11

“All their captors hold them fast, refusing to let them go. Yet their Redeemer is strong…”   (Jeremiah 50:33-34 NIV)

There is an on-going battle for each person’s life. As long as we live in this world we are a target for a tug-of-war between evil and good powers. The Bible says the whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19). The evil powers seek to hold us prisoners. But the Bible says that there are people who have been made free from this world, a people who in spite of remaining to live in this world, do not have their identity in the worldly but in God’s Kingdom. In Colossians, Paul witnesses and says that God ”has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

In the Old Testament there is an image of the New Testament’s salvation. Jeremiah foretells God’s ways when He speaks about all those who have lead God’s people into captivity and don’t want to release them. But Jeremiah continues and prophesizes that their deliverer, Lord, Sebaot (Lord of the armies) is strong and He will undoubtedly complete His work and bring peace to the world.

Prayer
Thank You Jesus that You have conquered evil through Your death on the cross. Thank you God that You have disarmed the powers of darkness through Christ. Thank You for wanting to free me today when the powers of darkness seek to hold me prisoner. Thank You for leading me into the light with Your strong hand!