Isaiah 61:1-3 reflects the beauty and power of God toward the broken and captive. He uses people on earth to bind up the brokenhearted. Stitch by stitch. Slowly over time. He may use one person, and then another, to give a word of encouragement, a gentle touch or look of love to bring comfort. Hearing the truth from God’s word may be just what is needed for that moment. A very personal moment that assures us that God cares even when we find ourselves in the darkest of days. We trust that God’s word lights the path for the next step wherever we find ourselves. Inside or outside of prison.
That’s why we go near to prisoners in Kenya. We go to be near them. To look them in the eye with love, shake their hands, to speak encouraging words to them, and as God’s messengers to share His word. What a privilege it is to lay our hands on those in need of prayer. We bring toiletries, like soap and toilet paper which is considered a luxury there. We join pastor James who always extends the offer of surrender and salvation. Bibles are distributed. The surprise is that we are blessed when we go. Perhaps that is why Jesus tells us to visit prisoners. We see Him there in the vibrant worship and the faces of so many we meet in prison. To see for yourself, visit Proclaiming Liberty to the Prisoners Facebook post.
I pray that Isaiah 61 will be a constant theme in my life and pray it will be so of many of us and the generation to follow. May we be messengers of Isaiah 61 in our world.
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. Isaiah 61:1-3
