"Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper; The snare is broken and we have escaped."

Think upon where you were - in the bondage of sin. Think about how you tried to get out, but the cage was locked.

This morning, I saw a video of a killer whale chasing an otter. The otter fled to safety on a boat, not much bigger than the whale, which circled the boat, until finally swimming away. The otter refused to leave, until the boat moved a distance. This is us, but worse.

I was in the bondage of sin, a slave to my own corruption. I couldn't get out, and guilt set in. The shame of failure took over, and I seemed so disappointing to God. I looked at my heavenly Father as displeased with me, fed up, and wanting nothing to do with me. He had to fulfill the obligations of his covenant, I reasoned, but I wasn't worthy to see his face.

Then, one day, with the faintest prayer, and a chuckle of unbelief, I said, "Lord, show me your glory." He came just three days later. The first day, I had repentance. Day two, consecration, and belief in the Spirit. Day three, he came with joy, putting Christ on my lips, as a forgiving God. I saw God's beauty of being RECONCILED to the sinner - that he'd done enough to be face to face with the vilest person. This stirred up my heart and affections. The power I needed came.

Saint or sinner, he'll do it for you. Don't fear, and don't worry. He'll do it for anyone who calls upon his name in repentance and faith. Acts 2:38, Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." You'll be radically different from the indwelling power of the Spirit. You'll see God's glory - his utter worthiness - and you'll be renewed to love him with all your heart. In fear and trembling, you'll do his work, because you never want to go back to bondage.

Now that you're free, you'll weep tears of joy, mingled with remembrance of the agony you endured, and how helpless you were. Your soul will be filled with thanksgiving, and the dread of sinning. You'll have compassion on people, and seek to lift them up. Pride will be stained, and you'll say, "What can I do to help," rather than looking down upon others with contempt or indifference. You'll be made useful, and he'll renew you daily.

This is what we need - not a religion of rules… nor the love of the world, which avoids our responsibilities. We need a religion of inward power, where God is seen through Christ, as the reconciler of sinners, and the giver of the highest joy and peace imaginable. We must maintain this deep affection by daily communion, which is dependence on the Bread of Life to satisfy us completely, and to thrill us in his service. We need freedom.