Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. (Galatians 4:8-11)
Next weekend is my nephew’s wedding in Colorado. I have the perfect dress for a cold evening, but it doesn’t fit. I’m enslaved by anxiety and the food that temporarily satisfies it. I purposely wasn’t praying to stop my bad habit because I love to eat.
The Galatians were pagan idol-worshippers before they knew Jesus. They were enslaved by the fear of not knowing how to please their false gods. Because Paul ministered to them, they experienced the freedom Jesus gives. Then Judaisers encouraged them to follow Jewish Law. They traded one type of bondage for another.
I don’t want to be enslaved by a bad habit that makes me fat and slows me down. It’s January, and I don’t have the excuse of eating leftovers from the holidays and my youngest daughter’s baby shower. I don’t want to keep shoving food in my mouth for the next three weeks because I have the excuse of a wedding and my oldest daughter’s baby shower and can’t diet.
So two days ago, I discussed my frustrations with Jesus. I know he’ll help me defeat them and keep the enemy from whispering you have to eat in my ear. But praying once in the morning doesn’t always help. I need to be in touch with God throughout the day.
When you pray, imagine yourself in the arms of God. It makes me more comfortable to be hugged by a female, so I picture the Spirit as a woman. I know God doesn’t mind because women were made in his image. I call her Beauty from Psalm 90:17: “Let the Beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Father, I love you and praise you for the freedom I have in Christ when I share my thoughts and concerns with you. Help me conquer my bondage to _________. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
There are so many kinds of bondage. I think that most people are victim to some sort of bondage. We do need to keep God by our sides as we go through our day, and make the effort to share our day with Him. As I said in the last devotion, I need to work on keeping God close by my side.
I agree with you. Everyone has been enslaved by something. I don’t know how others live without Jesus to set them free. Hope you have a wonderful day, Sis.