Justice Devotional - Release for the Captives

From 
Devotion to Justice
A series of devotions from the Justice table on the topics of

• Women and children
• Hunger and poverty
• Creation care
• Immigration

Release for the Captives

Luke 4:18-19

In this passage Jesus is reading from a prophetic scroll in the temple in his home town of Nazareth. 

As we look at the injustices in our world, this scripture should be our clarion call to action. As I studied human trafficking and more specifically the human trafficking of the more than 100,000 children who are lured into domestic minor sex trafficking each year in the United States, the spirit of the Lord came upon me. That spirit could also be called anger, indignation or a burning desire to do something about the children that are being victimized everyday by pimps and men that want to use them.

Can we bring some good news to the children who are captured in bondage? Can we arrange for their release? Can we bring sight to those blinded to the children's suffering by their greed? I say YES WE CAN! Yes we can make right this injustice.

So where do we start, we start with education, learning as much as we can about this injustice. We spread the word to everyone we know. We teach our children about these dangers. We work with an anti-human trafficking organization or group in our area. If there isn't one we start one. Let us bring the Lord’s favor on God’s people by doing what is necessary to bring justice to the children and the adults trapped in slavery. In this way, with God’s help, the "me" in this scripture will not only be about Jesus, but it will be about us, too.

Micah 6:8 ....and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

  

LaVerne Thorpe

Vice President of IDWM, First Christian Church Mesa, Arizona

Women and Children