The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Luke 4:18-19
Dear Lord Jesus, I know, love, and have taught this passage a lot; but today I feel my need for these liberating truths in a fresh way. I’m zeroing in on the declaration, that to know you, in to have God’s favor as our permanent address.
You’ve taught me in the past about the importance of stewarding my emotions—that is, about not reacting to “irregular” people, ill-timed disappointments, and broken circumstances with irritation, fear, and control. Jesus, all of that just flew out the window, and I’m coming to you acknowledging my weakness to lay hold of your grace-full-ness. I refuse to settle down into a pity party or a blame fest.
I’m a needy man in need of the good news today, Jesus. I need you to remind me of my freedom and release me for your purposes. I need you to open my eyes to see the gospel today as though I was seeing it for the very first time. I need release from the oppression of my introspection and the accusation of Satan.
Lord Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor to my heart today—in this moment. I can explain this great truth to others, but right now I need to know it for myself. My theology is still in tact, but my doxology is sucking wind a little. The favor of people and favorable circumstances, are never enough, and will never be enough.
Only your love is better than life; only your love will never let go of us; only your love can fill the emptiness, heal the brokenness, and break the imprisoned-ness of our souls. So very Amen I pray, in your most loving and powerful name.
