“IN darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron.” Such is the inspired description in Psalms 107 of man without God. In darkness, because at a distance from God, Who is Light; in terror, because the death sentence is passed upon him; and bound by a power stronger than himself―a captive to sin and Satan’s power.
But there is a reason given for this plight. “Because they rebelled against the Words of God and contemned the counsel of the Most High.” The Gospel with all its delivering power has sounded in the ears of many a slave to sin; the gracious counsel, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” has been given to them, but they have rebelled; they have set at naught the counsel. The convictions that arose were “laughed off,” and the chains of sin tightened around them.
But God did not turn from them. In His unwearying grace and longsuffering He followed them. Their adverse circumstances were used of Him to bring them to a sense of their need of Him. “He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down and there was none to help.” They reached their extremity; their friends had all failed; the darkness became intolerable; the fear of death made them tremble; they were in despair.
This was the turning point. “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble. He saved them out of their distresses.” They cried! ―He saved! Divinely linked together are these two expressions. Not a moment’s delay. The cry was followed by the response. “But when He was yet a great way off his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” This is the same grace told out in Luke 15. “He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and brake their bands in sunder.” God is doing this today, dear reader. Many who were once in darkness and the shadow of death are “giving thanks to the Father, who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”
Those who have “cried unto the Lord” and have been set free, delight to give Him thanks, and desire that others too should join in their song. “Oh! that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men; for He hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.”
In His death and resurrection, Christ has defeated every enemy. Sin in the flesh was condemned; He has annulled him that had the power of death, and robbed death of its sting; the world was judged; every question was settled for God and the believer to God’s entire satisfaction, and the Victorious One has “gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.”
Notwithstanding the way of deliverance is so simply set forth in the few verses quoted (Ps. 107: 10-15), how many are still in bondage and darkness?
The recent confession of the perpetrator of a daring bank ‘robbery gives a striking instance of how terribly the god of this world grips his captives. And how truly it may be said of such victims, “They cry not when he bindeth them” (Job 36:1313But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them. (Job 36:13)). He says: ―
“I am still young (23), and this may explain my desire for excitement of some sort or other. The Great Tempter exploited my weakness, and from that moment almost that I had been apparently successful I was sorry for the deed. I could not retrace my steps. I once intended to do so by returning the remnant of the money obtained to the legitimate owners; but subsequent considerations made me reverse my decision. I have been caught fairly and squarely, and can hardly express how painful it is to find myself treated as a real criminal.” No cry for deliverance is here!
“There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Even in laughter their heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness.” How subtle is the bait of the tempter, and with what trifling allurements does he lead his victim to disaster and eventual destruction. A few moments’ excitement was sufficient to induce his dupe to take the first false step, and once in the power of the enemy he has to own― “I could not retrace my steps.” A steep downward path is the “broad way that leadeth to destruction, and none can deliver but the Lord, Who is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him.”
“To this end the Son of God has been manifested that He might undo the works of the devil.” He it was Who said, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin”; but, he added, “If the Son therefore shall make you free ye shall be free indeed”!
Put the question to yourself—Am I a slave or a free man? And if you cannot answer it satisfactorily, direct your cry to the Lord, for “whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved.” The Gospel has been sent forth to men “to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light; and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me (Christ Jesus).”
Think for a moment what God proposes in the Gospel. By virtue of the redemption work of Christ and the shedding of His precious blood, by His resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Majesty on high, God is now free to announce, in the name of the Lord Jesus, a free pardon, a marvelous reception, and an eternity of blessing for undone, unworthy sinners, slaves to sin and Satan’s power.
There is nothing to be compared to the grace of God! He would blot out your transgressions as a thick cloud: He would set your conscience at rest: He would give the knowledge of His great love: He would fill the heart with joy unspeakable: if you will but turn in “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Will you not surrender to Him and own Him as your Lord? One word more. God delivers from bondage that believers may have liberty to approach Him. True liberty is expressed in the words, “Having, brethren, boldness (liberty) to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus”— thus to enjoy in the consciousness of God’s favour the blessedness of His presence.
May you, dear reader, find this true and present liberty in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ! F.S.M.