Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread":
Our American Hymn is seldom sung, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” The last stanza is arresting: “Our Fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of Liberty, To Thee we sing.”
Our heavenly Father says: “you shall proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants” (Lev. 25:10).
There was not to be an addict of alcohol, tobacco, or harmful drugs “throughout all the land” of Israel: everyone was to be free. Liberty was to be “proclaimed to” the addict!
And in the very proclamation of “liberty,” the freedom was to be realized.
This principle is expressed in Romans 1:16: in the “good news” itself of liberty is “the power of God unto salvation.” There is power in the proclamation!
A leper came to Jesus and said, “IF you are willing, You can make me clean!”
Giving evidence that He is the Son of the Father of liberty, Jesus responded immediately, “I am willing; be cleansed!” (Matt. 8:2, 3).
Matthew says, “Immediately, his leprosy was cleansed.”
The leper didn’t need to add that IF, for the Father is always willing! He always wants the addict to be set free from his/her captivity. That can be set down as solid fact: Jesus did not ask the leper any questions first to see if he was worthy to be cleansed; He accepted the poor man’s request as it was, gladly. And healed him, unworthy as he may have been.
And He will accept your request.
It may be that you are to blame entirely for your addiction; but the Lord is not adding up debits against you. Jesus still is doing what the scribes and Pharisees accused Him of doing: “This Man receives sinners” (Luke 15:2). The verb means He spreads out the red carpet for them, welcomes them like long-lost brothers.
Let yourself be welcomed and received! Believe that He is willing to set you free from your addiction; and believe that His word does it. Walk down the red carpet!
And thank Him for delivering you, thank Him now ahead of time. You may say, “But I am still a captive!” Time’s up; if the Lord gives us tomorrow, we’ll probe further.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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