“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:1-4, NIV)

I love what Beth Moore has to say about this passage penned by an Old Testament prophet: “God’s liberating words in Isaiah 61:1-4 apply just as surely to us as they did to the Israelites. They will continue to apply as long as God looks down from the height of His sanctuary, views the earth and hears the groaning of the prisoner.”

Christian brothers and sisters, we have a rescuing God! It is in His nature of mercy that He is ‘Savior’. God’s heart is for us. He is the one whose strength is everlasting and whose mercy is without end. He is not like man who grows weary under the weight of burdens; He cannot tire and He does not tire of His people. The sound of a prisoner’s groan under the distress of physical or spiritual captivity will always affect the Lord’s heart.

Throughout the Bible, stories of God’s relationship with His chosen nation, Israel, afford us glimpses into His character. We see God ache for His people, fight for His people, encourage His people, correct His people and time and time again – rescue His people. Even when Israel became captives to other nations due to their own sin and rebellion, God was there to redeem His own when they cried out to Him. He was to them a Deliverer who kept on delivering; a Father who kept on loving.

The nature of God has never changed nor wavered for a moment. Incarnate God, Jesus Christ, was also on a mission to liberate. At the beginning of His earthly ministry, after His baptism and temptation in the wilderness, there is a story of Jesus attending synagogue. He opened the Scripture and read our passage from Isaiah. Then sat down and said: “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.” (Luke 4:16-21)

He alone is Freedom. He alone sets the captive free and unleashes the blind from their spiritual darkness. He alone can give beauty for ashes and bind the brokenhearted. Where He is, where the Spirit is – there is liberty. He is Isaiah 61:1-4.

Even after salvation, when we first surrender ourselves to Christ, we still encounter the need for spiritual help in our growth. We need continual deliverance from life encounters like addiction, sin, trouble, depression, disorder, anger, childhood scars and an innumerable other personal stumblingblocks. We must never, never remove our hand from the Hand of our Deliverer.

Is there a stronghold in you life? Is there something that has taken you captive, hindering your spiritual growth? No matter how you ended up in a place of captivity, Jesus Christ is passionate about getting you out. God has proven in His relationship with others before us and in His promises that He desires to deliver you from all that keeps you away from Him. Don’t spend a minute in the pit longer than you have to! Call out to your God for deliverance. Grab hold to the Hand of Freedom and be rescued.

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.” (Zephaniah 3:17a)

Liz Miller lives in Daphne with her husband Matt and son, Logan. She looks forward to responding to your thoughts, prayer requests and guest speaker invitations, please write to millerfam3@hotmail.com.