THAT'S How Much We Are Loved

"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!