Release for the Oppressed

November 22

(Psalm 129:1-4 NIV) “A song of ascents. They have greatly oppressed me from my youth-- let Israel say-- {2} they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me. {3} Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long. {4} But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”

(Luke 4:14-21 NIV) “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. {15} He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. {16} He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. {17} The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: {18} "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, {19} to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." {20} Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, {21} and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.””

Oppression comes in many forms. Millions today live under political oppression. Freedom is just a dream for them. Millions more live under the psychological oppression of abuse and neglect. No visible walls or chains hold them down -- their shackles are inside. Long furrows were plowed on their backs by plowmen who took advantage of them, violating the laws of man and God. The oppressors may be gone, but the oppression lives on in the emotional scars. Victim mentality is the proverbial monster under our beds. But Jesus has the key to our shackles. He cuts the cords of the wicked. He proclaims freedom for the captives and release for the oppressed. He lives to set us free from bondage, bitterness, anger, and hatred. With His healing presence we can move from victimhood to victory. When Jesus saves, He sets us free from the power of the past. Choose freedom today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day