How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation. – Isaiah 52:7

God’s message to His people long ago that they were to leave captivity and enter into a time of peace is the same message for His people today. Jesus died so that we might experience salvation from our bondage and peace in our new freedom. In His grace, God loves us enough to accept us just as we are, but loves us too much to leave us there. His plan for us is not imprisonment, starvation and death – it is peace and salvation. It is time to leave our exile and enter into His presence.

“I, yes, I am the one who comforts you.
So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grace and disappear?
Yet you have forgotten the Lord, your Creator, the one who stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth.
Will you remain in constant dread of human oppressors?
Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies?
Where is their fury and anger now? It is gone!

Soon all you captives will be released!
Imprisonment, starvation, and death will not be your fate!
For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar.
My name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand.
I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth.
I am the one who says to Israel, ‘You are my people!’” – Isaiah 51:12-16

Fear of situations or people in our lives often keeps us in our bondage unnecessarily. We worry about what they might think, or what they could say. Our concern about the people around us keeps us from jumping into God’s peace with both feet.

“I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction. And I have created the armies that destroy.” – Isaiah 54:16

Can the creation become bigger than the Creator? Is that which was made by the power of its Maker more powerful now? No! God is greater than any situation we might face. Therefore, there is no need to stay imprisoned when His plan for us is peace and the freedom that comes from salvation.

God is saying – I am bigger than any situation or persecution or teasing you could ever experience on earth. He understands fully what you are facing. He has hidden you safely in His hand, stretching out a canopy above you and laying down a foundation beneath you. You are His child; joy and peace are His plan for you.

You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! – Is. 55:12

God says, “Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.” – Is. 57:14

What is it that keeps you imprisoned? God wants to clear away any barriers between your current captivity and the freedom He died to give you. What are you hungry for? His plan is not for us to die of starvation when He has provided everything we need to grow and prosper in Him. What is causing you to feel like you are dying inside?

Get out! Get out and leave your captivity…For the Lord will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind. – Is. 52:11-12

“You will know at last that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.
I will exchange your bronze for gold,
your iron for silver,
your wood for bronze,
and your stones for iron.
I will make peace your leader and righteousness your ruler…

No longer will you need the sun to shine by day,
nor the moon to give its light by night,
for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.” –Is. 60:16b-19