Ps 126:1-6
1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. 4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

I had a dear friend who was taken as a POW during WWII. He often told us of things he suffered during this time. While a prisoner, he had only one desire and that was for his freedom. He never ceased to be thankful for his release from the prison camp and the freedom to return to his military unit and eventually home.

Yesterday we discussed the battle in which we are engaged with Satan. It is a spiritual battle but it is real. Satan takes as prisoners those whom he can subject to his will. At times we call this addiction but it is not limited to drugs. It is any behavior that involves giving our will to do his will. He is very subtle and helps us confuse ourselves and helps us rationalize that doing his will instead of the will of God is really ok. What we too often fail to see is that he convinces us that God is wrong and does not really know what we need or what is best for us. There is no better illustration than what happened in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve when sin first entered into the world. Satan is still using the same tactic on us today and will continue to do so because it works.
Jesus offers freedom. He offers freedom from the bondage of sin. He offers liberty from law as a means of salvation. He offers freedom to live in a way that is best for us and that leads us to an eternal home with him. He also offers us the strength to continue to remain free in him. By his resurrection he offers freedom from death because he has conquered the grave for us.

When we have been set free we should be thankful. We should be thankful enough that we want to share this good news with those who are still captive and help them find their release from Satan and their freedom in Jesus.

O Lord, my Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth. I thank you for the freedom you have given me in Jesus. Help me to know the sin that so easily ensnares me and give me courage to take your way out. Keep me honest with myself, with you and with others so I will not try to rationalize my sin. Give me a heart like David so I admit my sin and turn back to you. Use me to help others in their travel of life so that I lead them to you and your heavenly home. Be with those who are distressed and hurting. I pray in the name of Jesus. Robert