I love the account of Jesus setting free the demon-possessed man. This man whom Jesus crossed a sea to reach, had been shackled and chained both in the physical and spiritual. Forces of evil had overcome his life, and he was in constant torment; chained, and shackled in every way, with no means of escape.
Jesus arrives on the scene and instantly sees, and has compassion on this man, setting him radically and amazingly free. One encounter with Jesus changed his life forever as he went from being the local crazy man who had to be physically chained, to a sane, restored, whole person. (Read about what Jesus did in Luke 8:26-39)
Have you ever felt like you are a shackled and weighed down a bit like the man Jesus set free that day? The good news is that what Jesus did for that man he will do for you. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The shackles and chains He broke off to set him free, he will break off of all who come to Him.
Whether it is a shackle of fear, sickness, poverty, addiction, sin, abuse, hurt, worry, or anxiety- whatever it is. If Jesus said it, you can believe it, and He said that the truth will set you free, and that who He sets free is free indeed!
Jesus says you are greatly loved, and nothing can separate you from His love. He says that He came to destroy the works of the devil. That he will wash away the stain of your past and give you beauty for ashes. That any shackle can and will break when you ask Jesus into your life, and choose to believe and stand on His word.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Today let Jesus into every area of your life and allow the truth of what He has done and says about your life break off every chain. God has a plan and an extraordinary, joy-filled life for you to live. (John 10:10) Don’t waste another minute living bound up. Acknowledge any burden and with Jesus’ help tackle whatever is holding you. Take hold of what Jesus says and has done for you and begin stepping into freedom today.
“Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.” (Nahum 1:3)
“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death And broke their bands (shackles) apart. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving-kindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men.” (Psalm 107:14)
“For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Prayer: Jesus I come to you and give you my life. Forgive me for everything I have done and where I have chosen my way over your’s. Would you take all the things that hold me – every burden, hurt, and shackle to my past and break them off my life today. I choose to follow you and your way of doing things and I thank you that I am set free. For who the son sets free is free indeed. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to live in a way that is pleasing to you. In Jesus name Amen.