The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
Psalm 146:7b–9, ESV
I love how the psalmist brings us to a point of understanding the good gifts that God brings. We know that not all prisoners who come to the Lord and follow Him walk free from prison and enter into a life of working and raising a family. There are many imprisoned followers of Christ. Some are imprisoned because they are followers of Christ. The greatest prison that we have binding us is not built with metal bars, but our sin and pride that make us feel justified in how we are. Anger and resentment are the most powerful shackles in existence. Fear follows closely behind. Our God watches over us and provides us peace. This peace comes first in our hearts as we seek Him out and yearn for His comfort. He provides this for us as we pray and worship Him. We can become so wrapped up that we may lose sight of Him and be blinded by the things of this world. We can become overwhelmed and overly burdened. We may feel like strangers in a strange world or have no arm to embrace us or motherly comfort to fall into and release our tears. He desires for our hearts to be lifted, knowing that we are not alone and to guard us against bitterness and anger. Instead of running into the cold embrace of a dying world, our Lord seeks us and desires that we turn around and flee into His open, awaiting arms. The freedom we are offered in Christ is more than just hopeful wonder but a promise that will not be broken. A peace that will withstand all the turmoil and struggles of the world. A peace that surpasses all understanding. A peace that comes through one who bears the marks that He took for each of us and frees us.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.