The powerful man came my way, an angry look on his face, a large chain in his hand and dragging on the ground. I just wanted to go camping. I didn't want a challenge with a barbarian. I could feel my legs grow weak, I was no match for this fellow. Then I couldn't make my mind up to run or try to dodge the coming blows I knew would come. And if I run he is bound to chase and find me and I wouldn't be any better off. It must have been a hundred and ten degrees outside and sweltering like an oven. It didn't seem to bother him any, he wasn't slowing down.

I grabbed some courage took in breath and said, "man it's hot out here" as he passed. He responded "I left my chain here the other day when that Mustang went over the edge." I turned to keep on eye on him and realized he was pulling the chain back to the tow truck. I immediately thanked God I made it through what I had thought might be my last moment on earth. I know now that I was bound by my fear of the unknown.

     Psalms 107:10-16 -  ¹⁰ Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; ¹¹ Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: ¹² Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. ¹³ Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. ¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. ¹⁵ Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! ¹⁶ For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

     Jeremiah 30:12&13 -  ¹² For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous. ¹³ There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.

As a prisoner who has committed a crime that has required you to pay with your life behind bars, you are bound for a time as a result of the choice you have made. Be it known to you that you can serve as an instrument of God's calling if you know that just as you made a wrong choice or choices, you are capable also of making the right decisions. All of us are bound in various kinds of prisons. Many are bound in the chains of our misplaced lust. Some are bound by demons of all sorts. Some are held to their convictions in doing the right thing, and some are bound by the fear that if they take an action of any kind it will always turn out badly no matter what!

Being bound by our loyalty is always one of the toughest chains to deal with. To think that the one of my best friends is someone I must turn away from. We were high school buddies and I would go out of my way to keep our relationship together. But from time to time 'my buddy' would embarrass me and I would have to let it roll off me like water off a ducks back Every time we go bowling he/she gets a little drunk and gets to loud and makes all around us uneasy and I just want to slip under the table.

     Isaiah 61:1 -  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

    Acts 12:5-7 -  ⁵ Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. ⁶ And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. ⁷ And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 

     Acts 20:22 -  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

     Acts 23:12 -  And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

     2 Thessalonians 1:2-4 -  ² Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; ⁴ So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

     Hebrews 13:1-3 -  ¹ Let brotherly love continue. ² Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ³ Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.