Shake off your captivity
Today is the day we shall be free
Bye bye bye bye
Bye bye bye bye Babylon

Early on in the Old Testament, the Israelites were no strangers to captivity. They were captives in Egypt and were later held captive in Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. For years, God used Babylon as a way to correct the Israelites when they had turned from Him.

They had seen God do many miracles in their lifetime, and still they would rebel against Him. They were convinced that they knew best.

Only in captivity in Babylon did they start to see the truth: Babylon wasn’t just a place, it was a perspective –– a state of mind.

They had been “free” before their captivity, but it hadn’t been true freedom. Instead, they had chained themselves to sin and had chosen self-sufficiency. The king may have held them captive, but it was in this captivity that they learned real freedom is found, not in their circumstances, but in their relationship with God.

It would only be once they came out of captivity with this new perspective that they could truly rejoice.

For us today, “captivity” can look like trying to handle and manage life on our own. How many times have we looked at our situation and thought we were trapped? How many times have we felt caged by our past decisions or failures?

It’s time to say goodbye to Babylon. It’s time to acknowledge that true freedom and peace aren’t always found in a new setting, but in a greater awareness of His presence.

Only He can bring you out of Babylon. Only He can grant true freedom.

Are you willing to carry the lessons you learned in this season and follow Him into the next chapter He has for you?

Based on the song Bye Bye Babylon by Elevation Worship. Original post by Elevation Worship available on YouVersion based on the live album - LION.