Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

November 25– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“To preach deliverance to the captives.” 

—Luke 4:18

No one but Jesus can give deliverance to captives. Real liberty comes only from him. It’s a liberty that only he has the right to give, since he is the Heir of all things.

Remember that our liberty has been dearly purchased. Christ proclaims it by his power, and he bought it by his very blood. He makes you free, but it is by means of his own slavery, since he suffered in your place.

But even though you were purchased at a high price, he has freely paid for you. Jesus asks nothing of us as a requirement for this liberty. He finds us mourning in sackcloth and ashes and tells us to put on the beautiful garment of freedom; he saves us just as we are and without any of our help or merit.

And remember, when Jesus sets us free, the liberty is ongoing; no chains can bind us again. Satan may plot to enslave us, but we have no need to be afraid. The world with its temptations may seek to ensnare us, but he is stronger than all our enemies. The workings of our own deceitful hearts may harass and annoy us, but he who has begun the good work in us will complete it to the end. The enemies of God and man may gather against us, but if God has pronounced us “not guilty,” then who is left to condemn us?

If God has set us free, then let’s demonstrate that freedom by serving God with gratitude and delight. [Lord], I am your servant; you have loosed my bonds. What will you have me do today?” [M&E]