Prison Doors and Prison Walls

Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name. _{–Psalm 142:7b NKJV}

In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free. _{– Psalm 118:5 BSB}

It’s a routine, yet bursting with meaning, procedure. Grasping the thick handle, we open the heavier-than-it-appears door, walk to the counter and exchange pleasantries as we slip our coats and belts into a plastic bin and slide it to the person behind the counter. Walking through the metal detector, we then hand- over our ID and sign under the “volunteer” column of the lined paper. After getting our hand stamped, we walk through another heavy door and wait as the group of us pause for someone to buzz us through yet another heavier-than-it-appears door. And so begins our evening of serving the Lord by serving those behind physical prison walls and prison doors.

As I have had the privilege of listening to and sharing with the ladies behind those hauntingly thick walls, barbed-wire fences, and heavy doors, I am reminded that prison walls come in all shapes and sizes. Physical walls that we can trace our hand across and feel the cold, sterile concrete, but there are also walls and doors that bind us emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and mentally.  The ravages of abuse, addictions, hurt and regret, to name just a few.

True freedom, soul-deep freedom, is possible, even if thick walls and heavy doors surround us.

Jesus Christ came to set the captive free, to proclaim liberty and announce freedom to those who are captive and bound. He says to us (those who admit that we are bound) “Come out into freedom, leave the darkness and walk in the light.” Whether we are bound by addiction, unforgiveness, anger, fear, or shame, He can set us free, even if/when physical walls surround us. True freedom is found in Christ alone. Not in a location. Not in ideal circumstances.

Freedom is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not lack of heavy doors and thick walls.

There are “free men” living as prisoners to their passions/addictions/bitterness or chained to the shame/pain of their past. And there are “incarcerated” folks living in soul-deep freedom.  Understanding their usefulness to the Lord isn’t dependent on circumstances or location or concrete walls.

We are limited only by our choice to surrender to Him or our pain, to Him or our bitterness, to Him or our anger. Surrendering to Him or our continued cycle of bad choices, blame and self-imposed bondage. Freedom is found in a personal relationship with Christ, not lack of heavy doors and thick walls. I have seen it first-hand as I’ve listened to the stories shared behind those prison walls. And though I’ve never been bound by physical walls, I was once a woman who walked in chains of bondage just as restraining as concrete and barbed wire. But He set me free, Oh, thank You Jesus, I am free!

Are you? He stands ready to pardon and redeem. Call out to Him now.

Father God, our Deliverer and Burden-bearer, please enable us to surrender completely to You and Your will. Help us walk in the genuine freedom that Your Son purchased for us with His Blood  on the Cross. Regardless of our circumstances. Thank You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

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Scripture references used:

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Isaiah 61:1b NKJV

The LORD sets the prisoners free, the LORD opens the eyes of the blind, the LORD lifts those who are weighed down. Psalm 146:b-8a BSB

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ Jeremiah 6:16 BSB      

The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners. Luke 4:18b CEV

The LORD sets the prisoners free. Psalm 146:7a BSB

I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’ Psalm 149:9 NLT

Hebrew: Freedom: A sending away, a letting go, a release, pardon, complete forgiveness. From aphiemi; freedom; pardon.

Hebrew: Rest: Resting place