The Lord sets prisoners free. Psalm 146:7
When my wife and I visited the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force near Savannah, Georgia, we were especially moved by the prisoner-of-war exhibit, with its re-creation of a German prisoner-of-war campβs barracks. Marleneβs dad, Jim, served in the Eighth Air Force, the βMighty Eighth,β as they flew missions over Europe during World War II. During the war, the Eighth Air Force suffered over 47,000 injuries and more than 26,000 deaths. Jim was one of those shot down and held as a prisoner of war. As we walked through the exhibit, we recalled Jim telling about the absolute joy he and his fellow prisoners felt the day they were set free.
Godβs care for the oppressed and liberation of the imprisoned are declared in Psalm 146. The psalmist describes the one who βupholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry,β who βsets prisoners freeβ (v. 7). All of this is cause for celebration and praise. But the greatest freedom of all is freedom from our guilt and shame. No wonder Jesus said, βSo if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeedβ (John 8:36).
Through Christβs sacrifice, we are set free from the prison of sin to know His joy and love and the freedom that only forgiveness can bring.
To read more about what Christ did to set us free, read The Mockery and Majesty of the Cross at discoveryseries.org/hp081.
The prison of sin cannot withstand the power of Christβs forgiveness.
Psalm 146 underscores the truth that the poor and marginalized have a special place in the heart of God. Our help does not come from earthly rulers but from the Maker of heaven and earth. When God became a Man in the person of Jesus Christ, He made the marginalized and the broken a central focus of His earthly ministry.Β