Prisoners of Promise

 

By: Carole L. Haines 

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. (Acts 16:25-26) 

I saw a double rainbow the other day. Dark clouds hung low and menacing on the horizon, so my husband and I decided to chase the storm and catch up to the rain. We found the storm and came through it to the other side. This is where I saw one of the most beautiful sights, a double rainbow. But the most miraculous thing was that the end of the rainbow was directly on top of a prison. Barbed wire surrounded it. No trespassing signs were posted outside. Most of us don’t think about the individual lives of those behind those barriers. But I believe God was showing me that He had not forsaken these prisoners. That those who turn to Him are no longer in prisons of hopelessness. Those who Turn to the Lord in Prison, have miraculously become Prisoners of Promise, God’s Promise. 

There are other kinds of prisons, not just buildings. Some struggle with mental disorders, like my social-anxiety disorder. Some are sick and confined in bed or wheelchairs, unable to get around as they would like. Some people feel confined to a job they don’t like very much, or a relationship that is incredibly difficult. I believe all of these things can make us feel imprisoned sometimes. But God promises to be with us and transform us into His Prisoners of Promise, never leaving or forsaking us. 

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. 
(2 Corinthians 1:20-22) 

We can rest in His promises and trust His love and care. God is with us in our difficulties, struggles and failures. He promises to work all things together for our good and His Glory (Romans 8:28). He is faithful. Turn to Him and yield these difficult places in your life to the Only One who can really change us and our difficulties, Turn to the Lord and see how blessed it is to be His Prisoner of Promise.