I was excited as I heard the news of the three young women who were found alive in the home of a man who had taken them captive ten years ago. I don't know all the details of what happened, but I do know that God is answering prayers.
I have had a burden for those who are being held in captivity, ever since I met someone who was set free from being in a home where Satanic Ritual Abuse took place. My friend explained to me that this happens all the time, and the people (parents usually) who are doing the abuse rarely, if ever, get caught. They are calling on the Powers of Darkness to keep them hidden, and he does. That is, until someone comes out from being held captive by them, and tells on them. Also, keep in mind that these children are told that if they ever tell anyone what is going on inside their homes, they will be punished or killed. These people are so ruthless, that they are not afraid of killing people if they deem it necessary. Again, the Powers of Darkness keep them hidden. And the law, many times, is too afraid to deal with them.
Today, in our country, child abuse is a serious issue, that remains hidden. Every part of society has this going on, whether they know it or not. Those in our churches practice it, but it remains unknown to all the other members most of the time. Sometimes, we hear a news report of someone who we thought was nice and safe, who has been arrested for being a pediophile. Again, we are surprised because we thought better of that person. That nice man who is always laughing with his kids and has a good job, provides well for his family, cleans his car every Saturday, we wonder how he could do something so evil.
Why do people get away with this? Why are at least 50% of the people who are murdered, never found the murderer? Why are the Satanic cults getting away with practicing Satanic Ritual Abuse and never getting caught? Why are children kidnapped and many never found?
It probably never dawned on us that we could be praying for God to be at work in all of this. We know that God is sovereign. We know that He knows everything. We know that He uses all things for the good of His people and for His glory. But we still see people getting away with murder, literally.
God's word has a lot to say about prayer. Perhaps we overlook it because it seems too simple. Maybe the problem seems so big to us, and God seems so small to us. I don't know, but I do know that it is our responsibility to pray for everything. I believe the three girls who were found yesterday was an answer to prayers. I have been praying for this kind of thing to happen. This is how God is glorified.
Now its time to pray for those who kidnapped the girls. They need the Gospel. Some people, I'm sure, are going to be tempted to think something like this; "These guys need to be punished most severely. They don't deserve to hear the Gospel. Let them burn in hell forever and ever." I can understand how a person would feel that way. These men did a very serious crime, that could have ended even worse, but thank God it didn't. I think it is a good thing the men were caught. Now they will be off the streets and made to face their crime. Others will look on and begin to respect the Law.
The Bible talks about people who don't fear God and how they go about doing evil thinking that God does not see. God does see. He will never let us get away with sin. Either we will be found out now, or we will face God in judgment, which will be so much worse. All of us deserve to be judged by God. Every little sin matters to God. That's why He sent Jesus to earth. He came to take all the punishment for our sins, whether they are big or small. He didn't do that so we could continue in sin though. He died on the Cross to break the power of sin in our lives, as well. That is what these men who kidnapped the three girls need to understand. They lived their lives out of the bondage of their sinful hearts. They need new hearts. It's not as easy as turning over a new leaf. We can't make our hearts new. Only God can. Yes, these men deserve hell for what they did. We all deserve hell for the bad things we do too. But God had mercy on us, and we don't have to get what we deserve, That is good news.
Yes, when people are found out, when they get caught in their crimes, it is an act of God's mercy. God does this to help us learn the 'fear of the Lord'. It helps to strengthen the law, and the law is here to protect people. It helps us to know that there is a difference between right and wrong, good and evil.
We pray for men and women to be caught and brought to justice, but not for revenge. God will avenge His people. If we take revenge, God will not act on our behalf. Let God do His work. The justice system is in place to take care of the criminal. It is there to protect the people from harming one another. It is God's delegated authority on earth. That is why we need to be praying for the church and praying for the country. When men and women fear God, there will be peace in the land. But it begins with us, in the church. The world is not going to pray for God to be glorified and work out His plan when tragedy strikes. That is our responsibility. We have to represent God well, and we have to be in communion with Him 24/7.
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