I have this necklace that clinks. It jangles and rattles with my every movement—the faux-gold circle clacking against a wooden piece. The colliding makes a cacophony. At times it catches my attention, so much that while walking I will grasp it to silence the sound.
Other times, I remove it completely in annoyance—and all becomes silent.
The noise is drowned out in perfect tranquility and there is relief.
Perhaps you are like me and you praise the Lord for His faithfulness—for His grace which has covered our sins. Maybe you love those songs and passages that talk about breaking the bonds of slavery, or shattering of things which hold us back from experiencing true joy.
But, perhaps if you are like me, there can be noise when the chains are broken. The lingering of old sins clank in the background; drowning out the bliss of peace.
Recently a friend told me, “Don’t let the enemy use old sin as his playground. Stand in the power of Jesus who has put all of it to death.”
There is such power in those words, and she is right. For 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
You see, too often I can sing about the bondage of my sins being broken. I can praise the Lord for His faithfulness, but I don’t fully let go. In my shame and guilt, I am like a slave still wearing the cuffs of my bondage. The chain is broken and I can move more freely, but I have allowed the cuffs to remain—clinging to them as though they have value. The clinking of those chains can drown out the passion and voice of the Holy Spirit, it can keep me so distracted that I forget to turn to the One who put those sins to death.
My simple prayer for you today is that you would sit in silence and let those chains fall to the ground as they are completely removed. Cuffs and all—bondage completely shattered at the feet of Jesus. Lay them there and don’t pick them up again.
For what slave when freed would still carry around the chains on their shoulders?
You have been set free, therefore, don’t let the enemy taunt you with past sins for they are no longer your home. Let the chains fall to the ground—let silence reign. Then breathe, and walk forward free in the peace and stillness that only comes from the Lord.
Be still and know that I am God. -Psalm 46:10
That “Be Still” means to cease, to let go, to be done with.
So, let the chains fall. Be done with them. And when the enemy tries to pick them back up and distract you with their clanking, destroy those sounds with mighty praise for the Lord.
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Isreal! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgements against you; he cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you hsall never again fear evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. – Zephaniah 3:14-17
