Freedom

October 28

Jeremiah 51-52

Psalm 119:41-48

Proverbs 26:3

Hebrews 8:1-6

Freedom

“And I will walk in a wide place, for I seek Your precepts.”  Psalm 119:45 LSB

David spent approximately 13 years as a fugitive, running from King Saul.  Much of that time he was hiding in caves in the wilderness.  Can you imagine 13 years on the run, afraid for your life and for the life of your men? Or hiding in caves and behind trees because you knew if you went out in the open you could be discovered and killed?  David understood what it was like to be in captivity.  While he wasn’t in an actual prison, he experienced the lack of freedom that accompanies hiding.  He had to constantly be looking over his shoulder to make sure no one was following him and the slightest noise caused him to jump out of his skin.  In Psalm 18:19 David expressed his joy and relief after this season of his life had come to an end.  “He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.” NIV   I can picture David running in an open field with his arms open wide praising God as he experienced the joy of freedom.  The freedom David was talking about in this verse in Psalm 119 was a different kind of freedom. He used the same analogy because it had special meaning to him, but this freedom is one that we can relate to in a more personal way.  As king, David no longer had to worry about being pursued by someone who wanted to kill him.  He had guards and mighty men who were available to ensure his safety.  But he understood the freedom that comes from following God’s law. 

God’s law protects us from the bondage of sin.  Satan tries to convince us that sin provides freedom, but it’s a lie.  Sin always leads to captivity.   He wants us to believe that freedom from rules brings happiness and adventure but it actually brings pain and difficulty.  Sexual promiscuity leads to heartache and low self-esteem.  Drug and alcohol abuse leads to broken relationships and addiction.  Lying leads to lack of trust and loss of reputation.  Going against the wisdom and guidance found in God’s Word always leads to pain and bondage.  David knew that following God’s ways leads to freedom.  Walking in His ways gives us the ability to walk in wide open spaces because we have nothing to fear.  There is no reason to worry about being discovered because there is nothing to discover.  We don’t have to hide if we don’t have secrets.  If we have nothing to be ashamed of and we are walking in righteousness we can rest in peace.  The freedom that comes from following God’s ways is far better than the fleeting excitement that might come from sin and rebellion.