For those who have been caught in the clutches of sin and addiction, these verses are the story of our freedom! Before the cross we were forever trapped by the controlling spirts of darkness. Notice first of all that deliverance and freedom are not found in the earthly realm! “He reached down from heaven…” The Hebrew word here is an interesting one. The word “reached” is the word meaning to stoop, extending a hand to bring deliverance or to release from the control of another. I cannot think of a better word to describe the freedom God gave to me from the control of the enemy and his cohorts! The second part of the verse the writer likens his situation to “drowning in water.” Imagine that you are swept out to sea from the shore. You try and try but the writing is on the wall, you are going to die. That is exactly the place I found myself when I cried out to God. 

One thing we must remember is that the enemy is not a singular being that is trying to destroy our lives. There are many demons at work in the world today and they are powerful. Alcohol, crack, cocaine, methamphetamine, sex, greed, and false religion are just a few of the weapons that the demonic have purposed against us. They always seem to attack when we are in distress. The writer points this out but reminds us that God will support us! While these are formattable weapons we have a greater one… the name of Jesus Christ. The Scripture is clear that the finished work of Christ is a more powerful weapon than all of Hell’s onslaughts!

“After He was found in terms of His outward appearance as a man for a divinely appointed time, He humbled Himself still further by becoming obedient to the Father to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9For this reason also because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW in submission, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, sovereign God, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2: 8-10 AMP

The last part of these verses show us that we are a part of the process of deliverance! The writer says that “He led me…” to a place of safety. Yes, God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ever ask or think but we must respond! God makes the way but we must walk the path in faith according to His Word! I am reminded of a Scripture in the book of James.

But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding 

Yourselves by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth. James 1:22 AMP

Let me encourage you today to follow His lead! The promise of God is to lead us beside still waters and a place of refreshment. The choice is yours today! Why not enter the rest He provides and walk victorious over the enemy! Have a victorious day! Pastor Ken