Truth

We have already been informed that the devotion this week will be personal. This means that each one of us is being dealt with individually and personally. It’s only for those of us who are imprisoned by self and need to know how our Lord is working to free us in these crucial moments.

That we can be freed from the imprisonment of self is not our concern, because we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that our Omnipotent God is able to break chains, remove huge, blocking stones, conquer powerful armies, and subdue all principalities and powers. Jesus once told His disciples that, with God all things are possible. Matthew 19: 26b.

That we can be freed from the control and rule of self, is not our worry, for Jesus has told us to do this. It is His command and He knows that He has made this command to human beings, who are ruled and dictated to by the self. There is no need to worry that Jesus got it wrong, for what He has said we are to do, we can do with His help. I can do all things through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4: 13.

We are confident, because nothing our Lord has asked us to do is too hard and since He is there at all times to help us, we go on in sure faith. For the remainder of the week, we shall be learning, receiving and believing, through Herod’s imprisonment of Peter. Remember, this is all to be our personal word. We are receiving truth about how each of us is being freed, in this present time, from the imprisonment of self. Let’s listen to the passage of Scripture, which will inform all that we are receiving. Acts 12: 5 – 8 KJV.

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

Peter is in chains. Herod has put him in prison between two soldiers and he is bound with two chains. In addition to these security measures, sentries are standing guard at the entrance of the cell. The Lord God is rescuing His servant from Herod’s binds. The Lord’s angel comes to earth and enters the cell where Peter is being kept with maximum security. As the angel appears, a light shines in the cell. The dark cell is brightly lit up, but none of the two soldiers seem to see the light. Think about it. The soldiers are awake, guarding the prisoner. The prisoner is asleep, being guarded by the soldiers. It is into this setting that God’s rescuer comes with his light.

Here is truth, which many a believer refuses to see and know. It is the truth about our present living. Truth is not what we think about ourselves or others, or how we think about ourselves or others. Truth is what our Lord thinks and says, for He is Truth. Jesus has said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the only One to show us truth and we must start with ourselves. Many of us, who have been shown truth about ourselves, each see and know that we have been imprisoned by the evil self. Believe it or not, you are bound by the chains of self and guarded by self-righteousness and self-aggrandizement. They are our two guards to ensure that we stay bound to the chains of self. Pride and haughtiness are the chains of self. I don’t know what our Lord is saying to you, but I do know, personally, in this present time, that I need rescuing from the chains of self, which have me where our Lord does not want me to be. If you are where I am, will you join me in this personal prayer?