Who is Really Held Captive?

The Taliban have taken another missionary's life.

These dear brothers and sisters lives are in jeopardy because they were providing medical aid. What an incredible injustice by people who have no regard for human life!

As Robin and I prayed for them the other day, I recalled Paul and Silas in a jail in Philippi. They were unjustly brought before authorities, accused of promoting customs contrary to what the Greeks practiced and believed, severely beaten with rods without a trail and thrown into an inner cell with their feet in stocks. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that they had suffered and been outrageously treated in Philippi. (1 Thess. 2:2)

What did they do? They sang hymns and prayed. I can't help but imagine that our dear Korean brothers and sisters in Christ are but doing the same.

May those who are holding them captive be listening like the other prisoners were to Paul and Silas. May they be miraculously delivered in such a way that would cause their captives to cry out 'what must I do to be saved?'

For who is really held captive? It is a tragedy and I am sure a stressful situation for friends and family back in Korea. I certainly do not want to take lightly their situation. It is a tragic crisis.

But who is really held imprisoned? Our brothers and sisters are free. They face death but ultimately they will live and never die. The Taliban and those held captive by Islam are perishing. They are held captive by the enemy to do his will. They are imprisoned. They face eternal death and separation from a God who loves them. These Korean believers are not without hope. The Taliban have no hope apart from Christ.

May the captors have visions of our Lord. May they see what Paul saw on the road to Damascus. May they be struck blind by His glory and power. May they know the One whom they are persecuting. May they be delivered from their prison.

May God be glorified through these dear brothers and sisters - whether in life or death.