FREEDOM FOR THE PRISONERS

WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL

JUNE 11, 2023

TOPIC: FREEDOM FOR THE PRISONERS

BY T. O. BANSO

“Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name” (Psalm 142:7a New King James Version).

There are spiritual prisons as there are physical prisons. Many are only aware of physical prisons and not aware of spiritual prisons which are of different kinds. A prison is a place of confinement as punishment for a crime committed or while on trial. Those in prison are legally held there against their will. But not everyone in prison is guilty of the crime they are convicted for or being held in prison for during trial.

In Genesis 39:20, the Bible talks about how Joseph was unjustly put in prison. But because he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, he released him. Psalm 105:17-20 refers to his imprisonment and release thus: “He sent a man before them-Joseph-who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. The king sent and released him, the ruler of the people let him go free” (New King James Version). Joseph’s imprisonment was physical.

Paul and Silas were also put in physical prison, as ministers of the gospel. But Acts 16:26 says, “Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed” (New King James Version). God released them from prison supernaturally but they didn’t leave the prison until they were officially released thereafter.

No prisoner can release himself. He is released either because he has completed his term or has been granted a pardon. But, sometimes, prisoners could escape in jailbreak and this is criminal. When found, such escapees are rearrested and returned to prison. Thus, to gain freedom legally from prison, the prisoner must be released. He cannot release himself. As we have seen, Joseph didn’t release himself but Pharaoh released him. Paul and Silas were also released by the authorities (Acts 16:35-40).

In Acts 5:17-20, the high priest rose and all his associates put the apostles in prison but, at nigh,t an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out. Prisoners always need someone to release them. Also in Acts 12:1-11, the angel of the Lord released Peter from prison.

What is true of physical imprisonment is also true of spiritual imprisonment. Those who are in spiritual prisons cannot release themselves. They need a superior power to free them from their confinement. And that power is the power of God. They must be released supernaturally.

Whatever the nature of the spiritual prison anyone is in – physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental health, financial, or any other – God can set such a prisoner free. David cried to God in Psalm 142:7a, “Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name” (New King James Version). David’s soul was in prison. And he cried to the right person to set him free. He also tells God in Psalm 143:11b, “For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble” (New King James Version).

You can do the same if you are in such a situation. God will answer you because He sets prisoners free. Psalm 146:7b says the LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. “God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing” (Psalm 68:6a New International Version).

Part of the ministry of Jesus Christ is to proclaim freedom for the captives and release the prisoners, especially those in spiritual prisons. “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1 New International Version). Jesus quoted this scripture in Luke 4:18. The prisoners in this scripture are not mainly those in physical prisons, although, through divine interventions, those in physical prisons can also regain their freedom. The Spirit upon Jesus was (is) the Spirit of liberty – to set free prisoners. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Jesus came to the earth to open blind eyes and bring out prisoners from the prison and those who sit in darkness from the prison house (Isaiah 42:7). He opened the eyes of those who were physically and spiritually blind. What type of prison are you in? Jesus came to set you free. It is the will of God to give you freedom. Call upon Him, as David did in Psalm 142:7a. Ask Him to break the chains, loose the fetters, and set you free. He will open the prison house and bring you out. “For the LORD hears the poor, and does not despise His prisoners” (Psalm 69:33 New King James Version).

The sinner is in spiritual bondage and needs to be set free by accepting Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. “Jesus answered, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, everyone who practices sin habitually is a slave of sin’” (John 8:34 Amplified Bible). Some people are in prison of sinful addiction. They need to cry to Jesus for freedom. Those who oppose the truth are also in spiritual bondage. Satan has held them captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:25-26). They need freedom from their spiritual prison.

There is power in the Word of God to set prisoners free. Psalm 107:20 says He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. There also power in the name of Jesus to set prisoners free. At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11).

Furthermore, there is power in the blood of Jesus, the blood of the covenant, to forgive sinners and set prisoners free. “As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you” (Zechariah 9:11-12 New King James Version).  

Note the phrase “prisoners of hope.” It means “prisoners with hope” (Complete Jewish Bible) or “captives who have hope” (GOD’S WORD Translation). Prisoners should not lose hope. There is freedom for them in Christ Jesus, as the Jewish exiles regained their freedom and returned to their homeland. God will set the prisoners free.

TAKE ACTION!

If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.

Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.

I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.

PRAYER POINTS: Father, set free everyone in spiritual bondage or prison. Let them be set free from every form of prison be it physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental health, financial, or others. Father, I decree freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners in the mighty name of Jesus.

(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).

T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org