Spiritual Survival Guide
1: Starting Well: Surviving Spiritually on the Inside
Prisoners in the Bible: Freedom for the Captives
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. 5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. 6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. 7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.
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The experience of finding ourselves living like a wayward, prodigal son in a “distant country”—cut off, isolated, far from home—is nothing new to God’s people. It happens to many of us on a personal level and it can happen on a national level, too. God’s beloved people, Israel, literally found themselves in a distant country. Their callous disregard and rejection of God eventually led to massive defeat at the hands of their enemies and exile to Babylon—liv- ing as captives and strangers in a strange land for generations. But this exile was not forever. God promised deliverance. The prophet Isaiah saw the days of God’s Servant (Jesus identified himself with Isaiah’s servant figure) announcing the news of the Great Reversal, the Great Restora- tion, the Lord’s favor. This passage says something powerful about who God is and what his heart is like. As we read and discuss this promise of freedom for the captive people of Israel, ask yourself what we can learn from Gods’ Word about trusting in God’s promises of restoration for our own lives.
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1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
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