Out of the Darkness

Psalm 107:10-16

Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
    prisoners suffering in iron chains,
because they rebelled against God’s commands
    and despised the plans of the Most High.
So he subjected them to bitter labor;
    they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
    and broke away their chains.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he breaks down gates of bronze
    and cuts through bars of iron.

I've been set free!

After I accepted the job offer at the college library, the director gave me a tour of the offices and the book stacks. On the second floor, I saw the collection of books the students used, the ones I would add to over time. The first floor offered a research area, computers, and a circulation desk. In the back—the behind-the-scenes work took place. My new job was a desk job, different from when I worked with children at the elementary school. The majority of my work would be done on the computer, as I ordered and cataloged books. I spent a lot of time at my desk, and depending on my attitude, I occasionally felt chained, even though I could get up and move around whenever I needed to.

Thankfully, the chains of a desk are not like the shackles of despair or sin.

The psalmist writes about the chains of darkness and despair. I can't imagine being chained in utter darkness, yet that's what happens when I sin. My heart hurts if I hurt someone else. My legs feel heavy when I'm not walking with Jesus. The light dims when I'm not looking to the One who saved me from myself.

Jesus came to break the chains of sin and darkness and give us light and grace. God doesn't want His children to live in darkness or chains. He wants us to live in the freedom of forgiveness.

Seek Jesus and break the chains.