The Wonder of the Cross – 40 Days with the Music of Vicky Beeching
Day 6 – Tuesday after Lent 1 – Deliverer
To Read:
From the Scriptures:
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3v17-18)
From Vicky Beeching:
Deliverer
Deliverer, come set me free
Break every chain holding me
Deliverer, come have Your way
I surrender to Your rule and reign
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is healing
You say the word, mountains are moved
Oceans and stars stand in awe of You
Just say the word, I will be changed
We’ll see Your face and we will not be the same
‘Cause where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is healing
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is hope
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is healing
And your blood is enough to break everything chain (repeats)
Chorus:
To Listen:
To Reflect:
Amandla! (Power) to which the response Awethu! (is ours) was for decades the cry of oppressed Black people in Southern Africa protesting Apartheid. Along with the cry and longing for freedom came the symbol of the clenched fist made popular by Nelson Mandela and others.
The clenched fist became the symbol of this quest for freedom, the search for deliverance, is that the fingers of a hand, when not clenched, may be easily broken one by one. Gathered together in a fist they are less vulnerable and a weakness can become a strength.
This demonstration of power to mark a quest for freedom has not always gone down well with Western Society. Perhaps the most notable case in modern history, and a turning point in the Modern Era, was the Clenched fist salute made by Black Athletes on the podium at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.[1] Causing international shock and dismay when it occurred, as well as ostracism for the athletes, it has become a turning point of empowerment for many and help inspire many a quest for freedom. And that it has been for me on too many occasions when in the middle of protests in Johannesburg myself.
But this is not the way that the Holy Spirit of God brings freedom, healing and hope. Looking at our Beloved we find someone who brings freedom not with a clenched fist but with an open hand. Knowing that all authority and power was in His hands and having the ability to call on an army of angels (Matthew 26v52-54) Jesus commands us to put away our swords. It is the open hands of Christ not clenched fists which, when nailed to the cross, bring us freedom.
Yes, protest we must. For there is much injustice in the world. But to bring true freedom, healing and above all hope we must do this in such a way that we imitate the One Who Loves us Best for when we are…
reviled for the name of Christ, [we] are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on [us] (1 Peter 4v14)
To Pray:
O God, who makest man to be of one mind in an house
and hast called us into the fellowship of Thy dear Son:
draw into closer unity, we beseech Thee,
the people of all races in this and every land;
that in fellowship with Thee they may understand
and help one another, and that,
serving Thee, they may find their perfect freedom;
through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Joost de Blank – Archbishop of Cape Town)
To Do:
Find a practical way to be open-handed amongst those with whom you disagree. This may involve completing an act of service (preferably anonymous) or something as simple as biting your tongue when tempted to make a caustic or cutting remark
oooOOOooo
If you would like to find out more about Vicky and her work here is a link to her Wikipedia entry. For a fuller picture her autobiography ‘Undivided’ is highly recommended
Please Note: These reflections are also published on my blog: suffolkvicarhomes.com on Bluesky as @suffolkvicar.bsky.social, and on my public Facebook page Suffolk Vicar – Rev Andrew Dotchin.
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Acknowledgements:
These Reflections, ‘The Wonder of the Cross – 40 Days with the Music of Vicky Beaching’ are copyright © Andrew Dotchin 2026 and may be reproduced without charge on condition that their source is acknowledged.
All of the music on the video clips are from YouTube and are © Vicky Beeching.
If you enjoy listening to her songs please consider buying her recordings. A full discography and other information about Vicky can be found on her website vickybeeching.com.
Scripture quotations are from The New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayers are from A Diary of Prayer compiled by Elizabeth Goudge and are copyright © 1966 The Estate of Elizabeth Goudge.
[1] The story of the Black Power Salute and the Olympics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute
Suffolk Vicar 