God Will Set You Free from Your Torment.
Let’s start today with a little chuckle. A woman was driving her car when she saw an old man struggling with a heavy load. She stopped to give him a lift. During the ride, the man noticed a Bible on the car's dashboard and asked, "Is that your sword?" She smiled and said, "Yes, indeed, it's my sword against the devil!" The man chuckled and replied, "Lady, when the devil sees you coming, he doesn't even draw his sword; he just throws you a cookie."
Today, we're exploring a profound theme: "God Will Set You Free from Your Torment." Our foundational scripture is Psalm 34:17-18, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
The Bible records several instances where God delivered people from their torment. Perhaps one of the most striking of these is the man possessed by Legion in Mark 5. This man lived in the tombs, tormented by unclean spirits, until Jesus set him free. No chain could bind him; no human effort could help him. His freedom came only through Jesus Christ.
We too can find ourselves in torment – it could be from guilt, fear, addiction, or various forms of emotional, physical, or spiritual suffering. However, regardless of the nature of our torment, we have a God who is ready, willing, and able to set us free.
The American novelist, John Steinbeck, once wrote, "All great and precious things are lonely." This holds true for many of us. In our torment, we may feel alone and isolated, but God's promise to us is that He will never leave nor forsake us.
When the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, God saw their affliction, heard their cry, and set them free. In Exodus 3:7-8, God said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So, I have come down to rescue them."
The freedom God provides is not merely a temporary reprieve; it is a permanent release. John 8:36 assures us, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Let us pray: "Gracious God, hear the cries of Your people. You know the torment we each face, and we ask for Your deliverance. Set us free, Lord, and help us walk in the freedom Christ has secured for us. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Friends, we serve a God who not only sets us free from torment but also gives us the power to live free. In Galatians 5:1, Paul writes, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
As we move into the coming week, may we live in the freedom Christ has provided for us. Let's stand firm against anything that seeks to bind us or bring us back into torment. And remember, you're not fighting alone. God is with you, and He is your deliverer.
May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, now and always. Remember, God is ready to set you free from your torment. Let Him in, trust Him, and experience His liberating power. God bless you all!
