I have a former family member who is in prison. It is the result of his own choices as is the case of almost all prisoners. Of course, if you ask any prisoner, they’ll say they are all innocent.
When a prisoner is being transported anywhere, they are bound at the wrists, ankles, or sometimes both.
The manacle used at the ankles is called a fetter.
Yesterday in worship, we sang one of my favorite hymns Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. I’ve blogged about it before, telling the history of the song. But as I sang it, I couldn’t help but think what exactly is a fetter and what is its function?
The lyrics of one verse say,
Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be.
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
I know I am guilty. I am a debtor who deserves prison daily. But the good grace of my God saves me.
My feet are prone to wander. I do feel it.
O Father, take Your fetter and bind my wandering heart and feet to You!
That’s my favorite hymn and the lyrics really are meaningful when you look at from the view you present!