“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/psa.118.5.esv

I am happy to say that I have actually lived out this verse. I grew up in church. I was blessed to be born into a family where I had a mother and a paternal grandmother that showed me how to be a “good” Christian. But as I grew older and got on my own, I strayed from God. I stayed in church. I attended at least a couple times a month. I was a hypocrite. I lived a sinful life but went to church when it was convenient.

Through my sin, my life had spiraled downward. I began crying out to God. I asked him to change those around me so my life would be better. You see, these problems had to be because those around me wouldn’t fall in line.

I soon began to realize that I was imprisoned in my own sin. I couldn’t see any way to escape. I had spent so many years of my life sinning, but finding ways to justify my sin. I would try to rationalize why I had to sin and was sure that God would understand and overlook my sin.  All this brought for me was misery. I guess I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, because it took me a while to figure it all out. I had to get closer to God. As I got closer to God, he began dealing with me about my sinful ways. I cried out to him, begging him to rescue me from this misery. Just like the psalmist said, he answered me. It wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but he answered me. He told me to give up my sin and he would free me from my misery. He would take care of all those excuses I had for holding on to my sin. So, I did and He did too. He freed me from my sin and the misery that it had caused in my life.

If you are miserable today because of sin, cry out to God. He can set you free.

I hope you have a very blessed 4th of July. Remember all those who have served in our military and have fought for our freedom. Also remember the Son of God who suffered a humiliating, agonizing death on a cross, so,that we could be set free from sin and death and have life everlasting.

If you have read this and are longing for the freedom found in Jesus Christ,  but are unsure about how to obtain this freedom, please contact me through our website. May God bless you and may God bless this great nation!