“When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad.”  Psalm 126:1:3

Great Things

I came across this passage during my devotions one morning. It made me think of my own captivity. In that captive state I could not see beyond my bondage. I could not envision a day when I would not be dictated to by gripping fear. I was entangled in the lies I had believed. This was all I had known for so long, and I believed things would always be this way. My captivity had held me back from living the kind of life God was calling me to live. It seemed impossible to me.

Fear may not be your prison. Captivity comes in many forms. It might be an addiction or a long engrained unhealthy habit. Unforgiveness may cripple you, or it might be anger, bitterness, or a hurt you just can’t seem to get over. It may even be the way you speak to others or judgmental attitudes. You rationalize it by saying that this is just who I am. Call it what you may, you are still in bondage and the Lord would have you free of it.

Time and again I had turned away from ministry opportunities because of fear. There came a day when God cornered me and made me look fear squarely in the eye. It was a crossroads experience. It was as if God had said, “Enough.” I knew to walk away – again – would be walking away from God’s calling. I could not endure the thought of distancing myself from my Beloved. And so, trembling, I accepted His invitation to trust Him in these deep waters, threw myself on His mercy, and cried out for His strength.

He met me in deeply personal and intimate ways to give me assurance and the confidence I needed, not in myself, but confidence in His ability to see me through.  My effort and faith were rewarded. Afterwards I was truly like those who dream. I had actually enjoyed myself and to my amazement attained a degree of success in an area where I had only known failure and humiliation. I knew assuredly that it was all His doing.

I began to see myself through His eyes. He exposed the lies that I could never be that, or never do that, or was less than her. I was qualified because He qualified me, called me, and enabled me. That was more than enough. My first taste of freedom from my captivity was exhilarating joy and yes, even laughter.

Believe God and believe that He will enable you to break whatever chains are binding you. Just because it has always been that way doesn’t have to mean you are forever stuck in that place. He is calling you to risky faith. He is a strong Deliverer, but you have to depend solely on Him. Believe me when I say, the view from the other side is glorious.

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad.

Father, thank You that Your desire is to free us from every vestige of bondage, that we may live the full and abundant life You have called us to! Indeed, You have made us glad. Amen.