Isaiah 42:6-7 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”

Messianic prophecies always need to be examined as to how they apply to believers today, in light of Jesus’ statement that He sends us as He was sent. (John 20:21) In this particular case, we are not able to do these things in our own strength, but we are to be God’s agents for Him to do them through us. I like it that the Japanese makes it clear that when God takes us by the hand He holds our hand firmly. We don’t have strength to keep holding onto God in all the storms of life, but not to worry, because He won’t let go of us. I like Paul’s expression of “take hold of that for which God has taken hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12) God’s purpose in taking hold of us is to liberate others. Physical prisons are one thing, but spiritual prisons are far worse. The strange thing about spiritual prisons is that the door is always open, but those caught in them are unable to see their way out. God doesn’t call us to be locksmiths, He calls us to be guides. However, as the saying goes, there are none so blind as those who will not see. Some people like their prisons! We cannot force anyone to walk out of their prison, whether it be lust, unforgiveness, greed, or anything else. However, there is no room for pride or condemnation, because we all have our blind spots.

As a pastor, I am constantly encountering one sort of blindness or another, and more prisons than I could count. What makes it more complicated is that most people are caught in multiple prisons. It can be quite discouraging when someone who is walking out of one prison refuses to leave another. I cannot force anyone to do anything and have it stick, just as in the proverb of leading a horse to water. What I can do is be faithful in prayer and obedient for whatever God wants to say or do through me. He is able though I am not, and He will never let go of my hand.

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for being faithful even when I’m not. Thank You for calling me, and for the privilege of being Your agent. I do pray that the veils of all sorts that cover people’s eyes and keep them from seeing Your truth would be removed. Keep me from pride that I do see, because I don’t see nearly well enough, and I’m not obedient to all I do see. Help me walk out of the prison of excuses that I’ve stayed in far too long in regards to pastoral ministry. Thank You for guiding and protecting me to this point. Help me trust You fully to do through me what I can’t do myself, guiding and nurturing the flock so that they may walk in the liberty of Your Spirit, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!