“I will go before you and trample down the walls and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, AM the God of Israel.”
(Isaiah 45:2,3)
Historically, this passage of Scripture concerns the prophetic message of Cyrus who 210 years later, would successfully attack and release Judah from Babylonian captivity. But, as we have learned, anything that concerns Israel (literally or spiritually) concerns us. We, as Christians, have been grafted into the covenant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Let’s consider these verses as they pertain to us spiritually.
Recognize that these verses are referring to going into battle against a HUGE and STRONG enemy. Can I get a witness? Everywhere I turn people are struggling in some way. Yes, there is joy deep in their souls. Yes, they know their God is in control. But the battle between flesh and spirit is strong. In some cases their Light is but a flicker, and that is by sheer determination. I KNOW!!
“I will go before you and trample down the walls and make the crooked places straight.” ‘Make’ is yashar (yah-shar) in Hebrew. It means to “make straight, right, upright, pleasing, good.” God is saying that He will straighten out the path of His precious child. He will break down the barriers, remove the obstacles and give us the strength to surmount enormous difficulties.
“I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron.” This is actually referring to the gates allowing entry through the walls of ancient cities. The bars of iron attached the gates to the walls. But as I read these words I thought of prison bars. I thought of how the enemy holds us in bondage to things in our lives even though the price for our freedom has already been paid.
I said, “The price for our freedom has already been paid.” Glory!!
Isaiah 61:1 reads, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”
JESUS has gone before us.
JESUS has trampled down the walls of our enemies.
JESUS has set us free!
Why? “That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, AM the God of Israel.”
THAT’S how much we are loved.
Father, Thank You. We praise Your Holy Name and bless You for Your mercy. We thank You for Your intervention, for the sacrifice of Your Son so that we might be free. Help us walk in Your freedom, to understand that we are no longer bound by our enemies. Our captivity is a deception that we choose to believe. Bring our thoughts captive to You, Lord. We cast down our imaginings and bring them under Your authority. Transform us by the renewing of our minds. You are faithful and good. Your love is from everlasting to everlasting. Bless You, Father!
AMEN!
I've been meditating on our freedom a lot. While rereading a book about breaking spiritual chains (sins, lies we believe, ties with the occult…) I started taking notes of what came to mind while reading. This is what I wrote:
The Cross is my victory. Jesus conquered EVERYTHING there. Thru His blood I have FREEDOM. He bought every right on my life. Not just my forgiveness. Also my joy and deliverance from ALL my spiritual enemies. In HIM we are COMPLETE. Now. Today. I only need to fight the good battle of faith to hold on to the Cross and to His victory.
At the Cross, every curse thay lay on me was cancelled. If I want this to be part of my daily experience, I must consistently come back to Calvary in remembrance, and to a Christ risen and overcomer, who holds the keys of death and Hades in His hand, and to Christ glorified, seated at the right hand of the Father and interceding for me.
The Lion of Judah roars in my favour. With His voice, like a roar of many waters, He scatters my enemies. With songs of deliverance He surrounds me. My shepherd will never let the wolf eat me. He gave His life for me and will keep me in Him throughout eternity. Noone (not even myself!) can snatch me out of His hand. I am His forever, because He decided never to let me go. With bands of eternal love He draws me to His presence. He covers me with His garment of righteousness and a garment of praise!
I am my beloved's and He is mine!
Sure needed that this morning! This day, I pray, satan's chains will be broken over our son and his enemies scattered…
Thanks, Nan…lvya!
Carina, Thank you so much for sharing what the Lord has spoken to you. That was powerful! "The CROSS is my victory!" Amen!!
Mid, I am praying and standing with you my sweet friend.