The prison of sin cannot withstand the power of Christ’s forgiveness.

The  sets prisoners free. Psalm 146:7

When my wife and I visited the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force near Savannah, Georgia, we were especially moved by the prisoner-of-war exhibit, with its re-creation of a German prisoner-of-war camp’s barracks. Marlene’s dad, Jim, served in the Eighth Air Force, the “Mighty Eighth,” as they flew missions over Europe during World War II. During the war, the Eighth Air Force suffered over 47,000 injuries and more than 26,000 deaths. Jim was one of those shot down and held as a prisoner of war. As we walked through the exhibit, we recalled Jim telling about the absolute joy he and his fellow prisoners felt the day they were set free.

God’s care for the oppressed and liberation of the imprisoned are declared in Psalm 146. The psalmist describes the one who “upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry,” who “sets prisoners free” (v. 7). All of this is cause for celebration and praise. But the greatest freedom of all is freedom from our guilt and shame. No wonder Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are set free from the prison of sin to know His joy and love and the freedom that only forgiveness can bring.

基督的赦罪之恩打破罪的牢笼。

耶和华释放被囚的。-诗篇146篇7节

我和妻子一同参观第八航空队博物馆，这座博物馆位于乔治亚州的萨凡纳附近。其中有关德国战俘营的展示，特别让我们动容。

第二次世界大战时期，我岳父也在第八航空队服役，与同袍一同执行任务，飞越欧洲上空。在二战期间，第八航空队损失惨重，共有47,000人负伤，死亡人数超过26,000人。我的岳父也因战机被击落，一度成为战俘。当我们参观博物馆时，不禁回忆起我岳父曾告诉我们，当他和其他战俘被囚禁在战俘营时，得着释放与自由的那一天，他们是何等欢欣喜乐！

诗篇146篇清楚地告诉我们，上帝关心那些被压迫的人，并要让被囚禁的人得着自由。诗人描述上帝“为受屈的伸冤，赐食物与饥饿的。耶和华释放被囚的”（7节）。这些都足以让我们发出颂扬和赞美，然而，最可贵的就是让我们脱离罪恶和羞愧，得到自由。难怪耶稣要说：“天父的儿子若叫你们自由，你们就真自由了。”（约翰福音8章36节）

因基督的牺牲，我们得以从罪的牢笼中得着释放，享受祂藉着赦罪之恩所赐下的喜乐、慈爱与自由。

主释放我洗脱罪污，
在地如天终日欢呼，
世上难免忧愁困苦，
认得耶稣得享天福。

Psalm 146

1 Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise the Lord, my soul.

2 I will praise the Lord all my life;
    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
    in human beings, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
    on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God.

6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
    the sea, and everything in them—
    he remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
    and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
8     the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
    the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the foreigner
    and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
    but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10 The Lord reigns forever,
    your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord.

整理：于姊妹