Understanding God's Heart For The PoorSample

God's Heart for the Captive  

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, Isaiah prophesied about the Lord's chosen servant. He paints a picture of a man with a burning desire to see justice established, but who will not use loud, brash, or controlling means to bring this about. Isaiah declares that nothing will stop this man until justice prevails throughout the whole earth. What a consuming passion! 

We see what this means for the most desolate. The eyes of the blind will be opened and captives who sit in dark dungeons will be freed from prison.

Reflection

These words remind us how God's heart burns to see people released from captivity. Women and children trafficked and enslaved to meet the sexual appetites of men; parents who dig in ants' nests to find seeds to feed their starving children; Christians locked in containers until they renounce their faith in Christ. 

Jesus came to set the captives free.

Prayer

Father, we pray for the millions of people living in captivity of one kind or another. We ask that you would stir your church to act to bring about freedom and release. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.