Daily Devotional for Friday, August 7

The Return of the Captives

“And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God? Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you,” 2 Chronicles 28:10, 11.
One of the worst things that can happen during times of war and conflict is for people to be taken as prisoners of war by the enemy. Most countries will try to get their soldiers released or make a deal for their release. They may even do a prisoner swap to get their people back. One unique thing that may also happen is that the country that has had people taken as prisoners may then become enraged at the thought of their people being taken and it may cause them to arise to the occasion and become more of a threat to the enemy.
While King Ahaz had been a failure in his protection of his people, the Lord was still in control. The prophet Obed had told them that the only reason they were able to capture these people was because the Lord had been angry with Judah (2 Chronicles 28:9). He also pointed out to them that they were also guilty of sin against the Lord and should return them because the fierce wrath of the Lord was upon them (verses 10, 11). The captured and the captors should have remembered what God had taught them in the Law; “For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you” (Deuteronomy 20:4).

REFLECTION
You may be in captivity because of your sin but remember that the Lord is always there to save you from your sin; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Tim Chambers