Take off the Shackles

Psalm 102:16-23

102:16-17 Zion H 6726; a mountain in Jerusalem. How do we feel today? Do we ever feel destitute? We can either be shackled to our problems or we can seek God for help; for He hears our prayers!

102:18-19 God sees what is happening on earth. Don’t ever let Satan work his way into your life and make you feel alone and that nobody cares. If you serve God, He knows exactly what is going on in your life at any moment and is there for you.

102:20 all will die in the flesh; it is the death of the soul that is much more important. God can set us free from that death and lead us into eternal life if we will believe.

102:21-22 are we willing to declare the name of the Lord? A relationship is a two way street. If for example you are married and never spend time with your significant other, but tell them you love them, what kind of relationship would you have? Your actions would speak louder than your words; spend time in the word and with God!

102:23 this refers back to verse 3, where the people were complaining how their days on this earth were being consumed like smoke. Don’t allow yourself to get into this defeated mindset. We have God with us; He only strengthens us, never shackles us. The One who created all is there to offer help at any time!

Psalm 146:5-10

146:5-6 the God of Jacob: the God who met Jacob when he had nothing, and deserved nothing (but wrath), and promised him everything (compare Gen 27, Gen 28:13, Gen 32:10). This is the God of Grace, and happy indeed are those who have this God for their God (compare 1 Peter 5:10).

146:7 why would anyone want to face times shackled to your problems? Trust in our Father; He is able to loose us from those shackles!

146:8 God loves those who try to do what is right (the righteous). We all fall short from time to time and Praise God He is there to pick us up when we are down.

146:9 relieveth H 5749; restore, lift up. If you need restoration or to be lifted up from those problems, then seek God. He goes against the wicked and protects you.

146:10 the everlasting God is there for you! This should give us confidence and freedom to know we don’t have to be shackled to our problems. He is worthy to be praised!

Isaiah 58:1-12

58:1 it is needed at times to show the wrongs people are doing; especially teachers of God’s word. Don’t twist the word of God to fit a certain teaching, rather give it to the people straight on.

58:2 we must know the ways of God and His ordinances. This can only be accomplished by getting into His word. Unfortunately many today just like to play church and don’t offer that which can restore and save.

58:3-4 their religion is for show. They do things openly in order to be noticed. Do you think God is happy with these? Of course not; I understand things are tough but that is not an excuse to be defeated by your problems. God has set us free from those shackles! We are children of the most High God.

58:5 bulrush H 100/98; a variety of wetland plants. Remember the famine of these end times is for hearing the word of God (compare Amos 8:11). Don’t allow yourself to be defeated.  Feed on the word of God and fast from the ways of the world.

58:6 don’t allow people to but burdens on you or shackle you down. God cant utilize you if you are always grumpy and defeated.

58:7 these are the things they should be doing. We are to feed the hungry the word of God and to clothe them with the Gospel Armor (compare Ephesians 6).

58:8 rereward H 622; rearguard. God has our back, we have nothing to fear!

58:9 if you we will stay clear of the traditions of men and the shackles they would put on us and focus on the word of God; then He is there for us. This is a promise from God; He wants to help us. This doesn’t mean we will never encounter problems, it just means He will be there and equip us with the tools necessary for victory.

58:10 we must do the things God has for us. Christ came for our example to follow. Read of His ways. We are children of light and if we are doing things right then there is no darkness for us.

58:11 don’t ever forget this verse! Do you want God to guide you continually? While others are suffering drought and famine, we will be well supplied and a source for others (think spiritually).

58:12 Father has chosen us to be restorers of the proper ways to follow. We are to stand against the deception antichrist brings in. We cannot do this if we allow ourselves to become shackled with the problems of this world.

Daniel 3:22-25

3:22-23 even being forcibly bound cannot stop our Father from helping us.

3:24-25 the fourth looked like the son of God because He was. These 3 were loosed from the shackles of having to worship a false god. He is able to loos us as well. We must have the faith to believe and stand for what is right!

Mark 10:42-45

10:42-43 to be in great power is not to lord it over them but to serve as Christ showed us.

10:44-45 ransom G 3083; something to loosen, redemption price. Jesus gave His life to loosen our shackles, if you will just believe on Him. He paid the price, don’t be shackled!