Make Me a Captive
by Inspiration Ministries
"For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles … by revelation He made known to me … the mystery of Christ." – Ephesians 3:1-4 NKJV
George Matheson spent a lifetime battling vision problems. Born on this day in Scotland in 1842, his sight deteriorated until he was almost totally blind. However, he was academically gifted, and his sisters learned Latin, Greek, and Hebrew to help him study. Later he became a pastor, serving in various churches for more than 30 years. Due to his ability to memorize sermons and entire sections of the Bible, parishioners often were unaware he was blind.
Matheson discovered a powerful truth that the key to real freedom was to serve God and surrender everything to Him. He expressed these principles in a hymn he wrote in 1890 called “Make Me a Captive.”
Drawing from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Matheson described how he had learned to depend on God. He prayed that God would make him a captive. He realized true freedom is only possible for those who have surrendered their lives to Him.
In ourselves, we may think we are strong, but Matheson realized that our hearts are “weak and poor” until we commit our lives wholly to Jesus. He prayed that God would enslave his heart with “Thy matchless love.” Echoing the words of Jesus (Luke 22:26), he realized that his power was “faint and low” until he learned to serve.
Remember the lessons learned by George Matheson. Commit your life to Jesus. Make Him your Lord. Draw your strength and wisdom from Him.
Prayer
Father, I surrender my life to You. Help me please You and serve You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Extended Reading
Ephesians 3
Absolute truth and you don't have to be blind to surrender.