Seize the Moment – Day 1282
Escape from Soul Prison!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, September 20.
When we lived in California, we went to visit Alcatraz, a notorious prison located on a small island over a mile off the shore of San Francisco. The prison’s notoriety was increased by the famous retelling of the 1962 escape attempt in Clint Eastwood’s 1979 movie, Escape from Alcatraz. The prisoners’ isolation on the island, plus the strictly enforced policies of silence and solitude, brought upon the men a profound loneliness.
Loneliness is a condition of the soul, often brought on by our circumstances. David experienced this when he felt abandoned by his companions, hiding alone in a cave from King Saul’s pursuit, as described in Psalm 142:4-7a:
Look to the right and see; for there is no one who regards me; there is no escape for me; no one cares for my soul. I cried out to You, O Lord; I said, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Bring my soul out of prison, so that I may give thanks to Your name.”
David described loneliness as his soul being in prison. This is a powerful image of loneliness; there is a strong urge within every person to break free from soul prison, just as people throughout history have sought to escape physical prisons, like Alcatraz. People will do anything to experience relief from their loneliness, but there is a way that has been made for you to be set free – Jesus has opened the cell door of your soul to God’s eternal presence.
Seize the moment and pray Psalm 142, meditating upon the promise of Jesus Christ – “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). How are you cultivating an awareness of the presence of God in your life today?
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.