Are You Washed ?
“The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the eyes to them that are bound; to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;” – Isaiah 61:1-2
“There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin….
My heart throbs, my strength fails me: As for the light of my eyes, it also is gone from me.” – Psalm 38:3,10“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me.”- Psalm 51:2-3
The promise of a Deliverer, and the burdened words of ancient king, meet like a lock and key. Words that speak of bondage are no figment of the imagination. Captives are a sad reality of a fallen world. And there is a bondage, invisible. Martin Luther called it, “The Bondage of The Will.” It remains to this day. Jesus alone can release us.
Satan still imprisons men by lies. He says our sin is unforgivable, or our pride invaluable. But pride is the source of our bondage. Truth must be spoken to set men free. It is fear that silences us. Scripture reveals the Lord speaking: through a slave girl to Naaman, through Paul to Peter, through Nathan to David. It was the courage of faith that led Nathan to speak, risking his life to convict
the king. What of our faith? “But having the same spirit of faith… we also believe, and therefore also we speak.”- 2 Corinthians 4:13
Psalm 38 and 51 show that David could not set himself free. If prison doors could be opened from the inside, the prisoners would open them. David needed Nathan to speak the truth he had to hear. All of us need someone, at some time, to speak the truth that pierces lies, and opens our eyes. Our bondage and blindness, – we must hear the truth to be set free. Will we speak, to set a captive free?
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” – John 8:32
“Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” – Galatians 4:16
5/11/04, #36