“I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt so you would no longer be slaves. I have lifted the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk free with your heads held high.” (Leviticus 26:13 NLT)
“You’re not free until you’ve been made captive by supreme belief.” (Marianne Moore, Collected Poems, 1951)
Believer in Christ—
Keep your chin up in holiness. Look back and walk with determination—resolved never to revert to old patterns. God has forgiven and forgotten your past, so do not bog down in regret. He has removed Egypt’s ball and chain, so do not live with a slave mentality. You are a child of the Light, so do not return to the dungeon. Legalism’s weight is lifted, so soar above self-absorption in grace’s stratosphere.
Keep your chin up in happiness. Look within and walk with delight—rejoicing in God’s Presence. Jesus will control your impulses, share life’s meal with you, and quietly talk to your heart—if you let Him. Do not cringe at threats of hell’s pharaoh—call on your Dear Father. When you walk rough roads, remember they lead to a grand destiny, so say “Alleluia” as you travel.
Keep your chin up in helpfulness. Look around and walk with design—responding to God’s purpose. Live in freedom, not running wild in an attempt to satisfy your corrupt nature, but rather unselfishly ministering to others with the compassion Christ has extended to you.
Keep your chin up in hope. Look up and walk with devotion—remembering God’s pledge to brighten tomorrow. Nations will clash and hearts will fail for fear; but when Christ returns, peace will dawn. Stand tall and lift up your head, marching to heaven’s cadence—paradise is just around the corner.
Keep your chin up in honor. Look ahead and walk with dignity—relying on God’s mercy to see you through the maze. You have exchanged cumbersome guilt for Christ’s light burden of service; you have traded sin’s vexing addiction for Christ’s comfortable yoke. When you take two steps backward in moral defeat, hold God’s hand and He will help you take three steps forward by His grace.
Walk free with your head held high.
Johnny R. Almond
Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
[This devotion based on Day 74 of Gentle Whispers]
Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia
Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/
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