DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
MAY 23, 2026
READ: 2 Corinthians 3 (Focus vs. 7-18)
MEMORY VERSE
“The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
BACKGROUND
In 1849, Henry “Box” Brown (a US enslaved man from Virginia) folded himself into a wooden crate marked “dry goods,” and two friends shipped him from Richmond to Philadelphia. Brown was inside the box (3 x 2.5 x 2 feet) for the 26-hour trip, with three small holes cut for air.
As abolitionists pulled Brown from the box, he sang a paraphrase of Psalm 40, expressing his hope in the God who promises freedom.
“If you have never been deprived of your liberty, as I was,” Brown later wrote, “you cannot realize the power of that hope of freedom, which was to me indeed, an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast.”
Freedom is central to how God operates in our hearts and in our world. His wisdom leads to spiritual freedom, but false wisdom leads to oppression. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is,” Paul says, “there is freedom” from sin, death, and condemnation (2 Corinthians 3:17).
When we listen to God and follow His ways, freedom results. Unfortunately the opposite is also true: When we ignore Him and resist His invitations, we become ensnared and confined. God liberates and transforms us by His Spirit (v. 18), but sin and rebellion traps us.
We sometimes believe that God limits and obstructs our possibilities and pleasure. But in truth, He’s the only one who can lead us into an expansive future, the only one who can guide us into genuine freedom.
Winn Collier
INSIGHT
In 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, Paul contrasts the old covenant (a binding agreement defining how God would relate to His people) given through the law of Moses with the new covenant of the Spirit available through Jesus.
The old covenant, though “glorious,” “brought condemnation” (v. 9) and was temporary (v. 11). Its glory was veiled, and the people could never fully see its glory because of their sin (vv. 12-15).
In the new covenant, Christ’s Spirit removes the veil so that God’s people can truly see and be transformed by Jesus’ glory—bringing true freedom (vv. 16-18).
Monica La Rose
APPLICATION
Where have you felt trapped in life? How do you sense God’s desire to guide you into freedom?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
We sometimes believe that God limits and obstructs our possibilities and pleasure. But in truth, He’s the only one who can lead us into an expansive future, the only one who can guide us into genuine freedom.
PR’s TAKE
“…the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6
PRAYER
“Dear God, please help me to be transformed and free in You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“FREEDOM IN CHRIST”
A long time I struggled with conflicts within,
I longed to be free from the burden of sin,
My heart was so wayward, though oft I had tried
To yield up my will to the dear Crucified.
I longed to be free, oh, I longed to be free!
From bondage and sin, how I longed to be free!
I heard the glad story of pardon so free,
And mercy abundant for sinners like me;
But pride was my master, I stilled my heart’s moan,
And went on my way, feeling sad, and so lone.
I longed to be free, oh, I longed to be free!
From bondage and sin, how I longed to be free!
At last His love conquered, I flew to His breast,
And cried in my anguish, “O Lord, give me rest!”
I heard His sweet voice say, “Fear not, I am near,
Thy pray’r I have answered, thy pardon is here.”
And now I am free, yes, I know I am free!
My chains have been broken, I know I am free!
No longer in sadness or sorrow I roam,
My Saviour goes with me, my heart is His home;
I tell Him my troubles, and all that alarms,
He whispers most sweetly, “Come, hide in my arms.”
And now I am free, yes, I know I am free!
My chains have been broken, I know I am free!
