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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “breaking the yoke and freeing the captives” A yoke is a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plough or cart that they are to pull. A yoke is figuratively used to describe a situation of oppression. A yoke is a symbol of the burden and suffering placed on a person or group of people. This was the situation of the Israelites when Deborah was their judge and leader. We are told “… the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, now that Ehud was dead. So the LORD sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Sisera, the commander of his army, was based in Harosheth Haggoyim. .. he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years…” (Judges 4:1-3)

Dear friend in Christ, effective leadership is important in overcoming the challenges of any organization or group of people. God has proven that he appoints leaders for the transformation and restoration of a nation. Unfortunately, many African countries are yoked with suffering and poverty and are still under the captivity of Western creditors or the so-called superpowers. We find ourselves in a state of neo-colonialism. Africa needs godly and courageous leaders like Deborah and Barak who regardless of the fierce army of King Jabin and His commander, Sisera followed the will of God in breaking the yoke of oppression to free the Israelites from captivity. Leadership is a divine calling because the fall and rise of a nation revolve around it. We pray for God to continue to raise selfless, godly and courageous leaders for Africa who will break the yoke of neo-colonialism and economic hegemony and liberate Africa from economic and neo-colonial captivity. We realise that because Deborah and Barak availed themselves to serve God and their nation as leaders and freedom fighters, “On that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites. And the hand of the Israelites pressed harder and harder against Jabin king of Canaan until they destroyed him.” (Judges 4:23-24).

Beloved in the Lord, there is one undeniable fact about the consequences of sin or doing that which is evil in the eyes of the Lord, sin yokes us with suffering and renders us captives. Spiritually, we are yoked with the burden of guilt, and estrangement from God and become captives of demonic spirits. In the case of the Israelites, they were yoked with oppression and were held captives by Jabin King of Canaan. What do we do when we are yoked with suffering and are held captive because of our sins? Dear friend, we must cry to the Lord in repentance and desire a revival and transformation. When the Israelites realised that they were yoked with oppression in the hands of their captors, “they cried to the LORD for help.” (Judges 4:3). God used Deborah and Barak to break the yoke of oppression and freed the Israelites from captivity. Beloved in the Lord, the Lord is our last hope and deliverer when we have messed up our lives through a life of disobedience. He is merciful and has assured us that “…if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. (Ezekiel 18:21-23). It was for this reason Jesus “came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) and invited those who are yoked with oppression and captivity that “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Jesus’ divine invitation to break the yoke of suffering and free to free us captivity of Satan is for all those who “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23). It is impossible to have the yoke of depravity broken and experience liberation from captivity if we continue to delight in doing evil in the eyes of God. It is sad to note that some people during crusades or revival programmes seem to seek liberation from spiritual captivity but immediately they go back home they return to their evil ways. How can the yoke of sin be broken and liberation attained by a person who delights in sinning or doing what is evil in the eyes of the Lord? Let us remember that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Shalom.

PRAYER (Hymn: Amazing grace)

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see.

Holy Spirit, strengthen us to live a victorious and transformed life through our Lord and Master Jesus. Amen.