The Comfort of Slavery
We’ve seen it too many times. A girl escapes an abusive relationship only to return to her abuser. An alcoholic remains sober for months, maybe years, then a personal crisis triggers a drunken binge. A person loses a significant amount of weight, then makes small compromises and slowly regains the weight, along with its emotional heaviness.
Why do we so easily return to that which once enslaved us?
It’s one thing to be physically set free; but unless that freedom is realized in our spirits and also our souls (mind, emotions), we are prone to return again to the chains of our past.
Paul exhorted the Galatians with these words:
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 ESV)
Slavery is more an inner mentality than an outward reality.
The people of Israel were rescued from Egyptian slavery by the strong hand of God. Through miracles and daily provision He proved His love and power to them. Still they longed to go back to the comforts of slavery.
It has been said: “It only took God one day to get Israel out of Egypt, but it took forty years to get Egypt out of Israel.”
Forgiven one, do you realize what God did for you through Jesus Christ?
Through Jesus you have forgiveness from every sin!
Through Jesus you have freedom from every bondage!
Through Jesus you have a future filled with hope!
When you find your thoughts being lulled back toward the “comforts” of slavery, you need to wake up and remember the awful bondage that accompanied that place, the shame that surrounded your everyday life, and the torment to which you were constantly subjected.
Then, you should also recall, with vivid accuracy, the moment that Jesus stood before you, looked you in the eyes, lifted up your face and said:
You are forgiven. You are free. Follow Me.
In fact, right now is a good time to lift up your hands and thank God for delivering you from your past.
Declare right now:
I am forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ! I am free from every chain of my past! Because Jesus Christ set me free, I am free indeed!
I will never return to slavery again. My spirit is free, my mind is free, and my emotions are free. I am victorious through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Today I rejoice in my freedom!
If you have not received Jesus as your personal Savior, pray this prayer from your heart and with your mouth:
Heavenly Father, I come to you as a sinner in need of a Savior. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to come where I am, to live a perfect life, and to willingly give His life for me. Today I confess my sin to You. I receive Your forgiveness right now, along with Your unconditional love.
I boldly confess that satan no longer has authority over my life. I am now a child of God. I am forgiven and free, in Jesus name.
I will pursue a daily, growing relationship with Jesus, by becoming a part of a healthy local church, by reading Your Word, by praying consistently, and by having a heart of worship.
Thank You, Father, for setting me free!
Pastor Dale Jenkins 
Isn’t it interesting that like the Egyptians we can sometimes choose the comforts of living in the past because we think it’s easier than choosing the freedom we have in Jesus because we think it requires too much work or effort instead of accepting by faith and believing. Thanks for the reminder Pastor.