Issue 1,155 – Hand Forged Chains – May 15, 2023

My mind drifted back to an old-fashioned blacksmith shop I  visited once. Yes, they still exist, in a few places, mainly in some form of living museum. 

The heat from the forge hit me like a blast furnace. It was oppressive and took my breath away. I was soaked in sweat instantly, yet the smith didn’t even seem to notice.

He pulled the hot metal out of the fire, laid it on the anvil and began pounding and bending it into the desired shape. He heated it again and repeated the process over and over, fine-tuning the work and periodically quenching it in a bucket of oil and water.

The water hissed and spit each time the blazing metal came into contact with it. Finally, after repeated pounding, bending and dunking, the smith was satisfied with his work. He grabbed another piece of steel and began work on the next link of the chain. Link by hand forged link, he shaped them until he had the desired diameter and length.

Charles Dickens had it right when he described old Jacob Marley carrying his chains, forged link by link, decision by decision through the choices of a lifetime.

We often form our own chains and find ourselves in a bondage of our own making. The weight grows slowly and relentlessly until they are more than we can carry. The chains become more than we can carry, so they pull us down, dragging behind us and tangling with the chains of the people we encounter. Our chains bind with theirs, and soon we are all unbearably bound.

Fortunately, God understood our dilemma and provided a way to freedom. We can’t cast off the chains or break the hand-forged links under our own power, but he has cut them for us.

He sent Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin. We are saved by grace.

Still, even as believers, we can put on more chains of rebellion and sin. When we feel the oppression and burden from our bad choices, we must turn to the master smith to free us.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Until next time, may you come to truly understand your freedom in Christ. May the Lord set you free and keep you from stumbling.

Be Blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

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