In Jail?

Some sat in darkness and in gloom, prisoners in misery and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor; they fell down, with no one to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress; he brought them out of the darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. For he shatters the doors of bronze, and cuts in two the bars of iron. Psalm 107: 10-15 NRSV

When we think of prisoners, we think of those who have broken the secular laws of our city, state or nation. We think of them as being just where they should be. It is their own fault that they have ended up where they are now. I suppose we become hardened to their plight. Do any of them cry out to the Lord? Does God hear their cries?

What of those who live in a different kind of prison? Oh, I know there are many people who have rebelled against God and either don't realize the prison they are living in or don't care. But the psalmist tells us that rebelling against God can incur misery, gloom and distress. Pleas for help come from their souls as well.

God does not turn a deaf ear. God brings prisoners of all kinds out of the darkness. God destroys their bonds. God shatters the doors of bronze and breaks the bars of iron in two. Thank God!


God, we may not be prisoners but we are part of this human race. As such, we too are recipients of your steadfast love and your wonderful works. Thank you for saving us from all types of prisons. In Jesus name. Amen.

Name one thing you are thankful for in this moment.

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims