Slave to Self

Based on Jeremiah 34-36

"16: But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom he had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids." Jeremiah 34:16.

After a certain number of years, Israel was supposed to let its servants go free. God knew what it was like for them to be in bondage in Egypt, so He decided to allow liberty to the Hebrew people who served under Hebrew masters.

You'd think after all they had been through in Egypt, this would have been well-received. Unfortunately, Israel caused its servants to return once again. They listened to their earthly fathers more than they listened to their Heavenly Father! How often do we avoid the things God is doing for us because we'd rather be a slave to the world? Or a slave to ourselves?

Are we the ones responsible for keeping ourselves in bondage? Even though the Hebrew people were no longer under Egyptian control, they had a slave mentality. Instead of submitting to slavery, we need to serve The Lord!

"14: The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me." Jeremiah 35:14.

God knew His people's loyalty and obedience to their earthly father was greater than the obedience to Him. It was easier for them to calm their fears about the king of Babylon by trusting in what they could see, rather than walking by faith in The Lord. They were slaves to their own feelings & fears rather than liberated with God! Freedom was right in front of them! It may not have looked like what they thought it would, but it was what they needed. However, they were to blinded by the world to see it. Somehow, they wanted to stay slaves!

Freedom is in front of us if we have faith to go forward with God! It's our choice if we want to be a slave to our past, just like the Hebrews did with that slave mentality after Egypt. They actually turned back after they were liberated! Don't turn back at the set-backs! Get re-set & go forward in Jesus' Name! Serve God instead of being a slave to self!