Freedom

Do you ever watch those murder mystery series that follows the search for the killer and subsequent trial? The suspense comes when the evidence has been given, and everyone is waiting for the verdict from the jury. Can you imagine standing there waiting to hear the words— “guilty” or “not guilty”? In the next moments, your destiny is revealed—prison or freedom.

In the beginning, “the earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep” (Genesis 1:2). Then God created the heavens and the earth. God’s crowning creation was man and woman, made in his own image. God placed this sinless couple in a perfect environment, the garden of Eden. They had everything they could ever want or need. There was, however, one tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, from which they were not allowed to eat. God’s instruction regarding the tree was to allow his creation to obey him or not. The first sin centered around the tree.

What is God calling you to do? A closer walk with him? A new focus on your marriage? More spiritually intentional parenting? A new career? A new area of service? Are you following God’s call? Do you fear that saying “yes” to God will make you say “no” to something or someone else? Are you afraid to surrender? Why?

“Loneliness can drive us to some very dark places.” That’s what a fellow believer shared in a recent email, and that’s what David shares in today’s psalm. David wrote these words while hiding in a cave from Saul as he was trying to kill him. When we feel alone, we can hide in some very dark places.

Sometimes we remain still, trying to hide from God. Sometimes we are in a full-out sprint, trying to run from God. But regardless of how fast and far we run, we are still right there in his presence!

Sometimes we can feel it coming our way. Like a person who loses their footing on a steep climb, we feel our emotions slipping. Waves of anxiety can hit like a rogue wave, causing our souls to stumble.

The world promises freedom but delivers slavery. Here’s what Peter tells believers as his life is coming to an end.

“How can a man be happy who is the servant of anything?” That question was asked by the Greek philosopher Plato. Most people would agree. We live in an Invictus age where “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” At least, I want to be! Freedom and happiness are seen as the result of being in total control. But for the believer, freedom takes a different turn.

Then one day, studying Scripture, I learned that nothing could separate me from the love of God found in Christ alone. It was like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders. That day, on a hot parking lot in Dallas, Texas, I understood that I was a child of God and would forever be!