A Tender God Who loves All Captives
“For you yourselves were aliens in Egypt” Deuteronomy 10:19
The Holy Spirit wants us to bear this family resemblance of our God, the One who defends the vulnerable, those who are held captive by their circumstances and need a champion. Throughout Scripture we repeatedly see God’s heart for the marginalized, traumatized, neglected, lonely, abused, and exploited. The common denominator is that these folks are disconnected and disenfranchised from the system because they don’t fit the cultural norms. As a result they are desperately lonely in their circumstances, and God loves to meet their needs. In a culture that loves to make distinctions, to judge by appearance, and to give preferential treatment, this would be a big leap for God’s people if not for their own story of deliverance.
Captives know what it feels like to be held against their will by someone, something, or some circumstance beyond their control. According to the Bible, all Christians were captives, held hostage by sin, isolated from God, and consigned to spend eternity away from His presence. But then, God spiritually delivered us out of this spiritual Egypt, not stopping with this one act but proceeding to deliver us from ourselves progressively to this day. The Holy Spirit has authored not only our salvation but every transformation of character and conduct as well. He defends us. He provides for us. He fills us. He secures our peace. He restores our worth.
Father, help me to be more like you and your heart for the enslaved.