Wednesday Reflection, September 9, 2020 God Redeems the Captive

Wednesday Reflection, September 9, 2020

God Redeems the Captive

Good day friends, today’s reflection is transporting us to the past, back to the period of the Babylonian exile. In particular, Isaiah 47. Babylon is puffed up with pride yet the prophet opens the chapter telling us of a city stripped of all its glory and likened to an embarrassed woman.

Babylon had captured Judah and Jerusalem and subjected them to great humiliation. The Lord God speaks through the prophet, telling them that the same treatment the captor meted out to the captives would be returned to them. It is explained that contrary to the Babylonian thought that they had captured Judah and Jerusalem, they were only able to do so because the Lord allowed it. Brothers and sisters, there must be no comfort or security in arrogance and self righteousness.

Babylon was so puffed up with pride, they forgot that the people they held captive belonged to the Most High God. They were a wicked people who thought that the more they dwelled or entertained wickedness the more powerful they would become. In today’s watchword, Isaiah 47:13-14, the Lord continues to challenge the babylonian stargazers and sorcerers, “let those stand up and save you, who gazed at the stars and at each new moon predict what shall befall you. See, they are like stubble, the fire consumes them.”

My friends, there are many of us who have or are even now are being held captive by a number of issues, thoughts and concerns. Some of us represent the great, beautiful and powerful city of Babylon in our own lives. Others may be likened to Judah and Jerusalem. Chosen, and set apart yet unwilling to flee or deny our sinful nature. We have fallen prey to a myriad of things and people all because of sin.

2 Timothy 2:19 reminds each of us, ‘nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “the Lord knows those who are His,” and, “let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Until next week, I borrow the words of N. Macleod, “some will love you, some will hate you, some will flatter, some will slight; turn from these and look above you: Trust in God and do the right.”

Amen