READ Psalm 107:10–16. 10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, 11 because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High. 12 So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. 13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. 15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, 16 for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.
THEY SIT IN CHAINS. Here are people who are guilty (verse 11). They rebelled against God and are now chained in a dungeon behind iron bars and gates (verse 16). This represents the darkness of a conscience and soul weighed down by shame and a sense of condemnation from which they cannot free themselves. In response to the people’s cry God breaks their chains and bars (verses 14 and 16). But it was he who had chained them (verses 11–12). If they deserve his punishment, how can he do this? He can cut through his own bars because he bore his own judgment in Jesus (Isaiah 53:6; Galatians 3:13; Romans 3:25). Cry to the Lord—no matter how great the sin—and he will hear you.
Prayer: Lord, “Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.”113 I praise your name for your radical forgiveness. Amen.