Released

For as in the day of Midian's defeat,

 you have shattered the yoke that burdens them;

the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressors.                                      Isa. 9.4

The Israelites did evil in God's sight, and so He gave them into the hands of the Midianites. The Midianites exerted the utmost oppressive power over the Israelites : Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help. (Judges 6.6)

In response to their cry, God sent a prophet who reminded the Israelites how God had saved them out of the hands of the Egyptians. God led the Israelites into the promised land, instructing them not to worship the gods of the Amorites, whose land it had been. But the Israelites ignored God.

However, God is gracious and forgiving. He sent an angel to commission Gideon to save Israel out of Midian's hand. Gideon remonstrated, saying he was too weak. But God called him a mighty warrior. There is a lesson here. We may see ourselves as weak, but, in God, we can be mighty. Through God's grace and power, Gideon defeated the Midianites, and saved the Israelites from great suffering and oppression.

At the time of Isaiah's writing, the Israelites were again in oppressive captivity, to the Babylonians. Again, this was due to their disobedient nature. However, through Isaiah, God promised delivery of the Israelites from captivity. God followed through on His promise and released the Israelites. He shattered the yoke that burdens them.

Today, many people live under a yoke caused by a variety of circumstances. I believe, just like the disobedient Israelites, God's love for us does not wish us to suffer, but yearns to release us from oppression of any kind. Again, I believe that all we need is to come before God in repentance and confession - and we will be released.

Mighty God,

I believe You can rescue and save those living under oppression today just as You released the Israelites of old on several occasions.

I pray that You hear the pleas, confession and repentance of these people who come to You in humility and sincerity. I pray You bring sweet release to them. I thank You.         Amen.