COMFORT IN CAPTIVITY

COMFORT IN CAPTIVITY

READ:
Isaiah 39:5-40:5

Comfort, yes, comfort My
people! -Isaiah 40:1

On February 10, 1675, 50 colonial families in Lancaster, Massachusetts, feared possible Native American raids.  Joseph Rowlandson, the Puritan minister of the village, was in Boston pleading with the government for protection, while Mary, his wife, stayed behind with their children.  At sunrise, the settlers were attacked.  After some of the settlers were killed, Mary and other survivors were taken captive.

Mary experienced both kindness and cruelty from her captors.  The Native Americans, aware of the religious nature of the settlers, gave her a Bible they had confiscated.  Later she would write in her memoirs about God's "goodness in bringing to my hand so many comfortable and suitable Scriptures in my distress."  God's Word was her great comfort until she was ransomed by the colonists on May 2.

As the nation of Judah waited to be taken into captivity by a foreign power (Isaiah 39:5-7), the despair of its people must have been great.  But even in that dreadful anticipation, God's words brought comfort:  "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!" (v.8).

Have you been taken captive by circumstances beyond your control?  If so, read and meditate on the Word.  And experience God's comfort. -Dennis Fisher

Upon Thy Word I rest, so strong, so sure;
So full of comfort blest, so sweet, so pure,
They Word that changest not, that faileth never!
My King, I rest upon They Word forever. -Havergal
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God's Word is the true source of comfort.

INSIGHT
King Hezekiah of Judah was one of few kings in the period of the divided kingdom that "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" (2 Kings 18:3; 2 Chronicles 29:2).  More chapters in the Historical Books are devoted to telling Hezekiah's story than any other king of the divided kingdom-three in 2 Kings (18-20) and four in 2 Chronicles (28-32).

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace