“LORD, bring us back to yourself so we may return; renew our days as in former times…” Lamentations 5:21

This is the first time I am hearing about what a huge day this was in our country back in 1865. People were declared free in Texas over two years after the President had already freed them. People were still owned by another after slavery was legally abolished. Is this sounding familiar to anyone?

Jesus Christ died over two thousand years ago for our freedom and yet so many are still living owned by another. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). The death of Jesus was for everyone and we are free if only we believe. Have we the church not spoken up or lived lives that cause others to question our freedom? Perhaps we have been in bondage to this world, yet saved, and we look no different. Lord please forgive us.

May we live so close to the Lord that others recognize our freedom and ask questions. May we be given an enormous amount of opportunities to share Him. May we remember that we are loved and therefore live love out everywhere we go. Lord, renew our days especially the ones we lived in bondage. None of us want to go back to days of slavery, nor do we have too. The only going back we want to do is back into the safe arms of our Father. Are you truly free today?