ODJ: rejoice!
August 31, 2009
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety (v.9).
READ: Psalm 16
Throughout Africa, from Sierra Leone to Uganda, rebel leaders have abducted hundreds of thousands of innocent boys and girls and converted them into soldiers. Forced to commit unspeakable crimes and murderous acts, often against their own relatives, these child soldiers are seldom able to forgive themselves or to reenter society after the rare event of being freed from their conscripted service.
However, when the miraculous takes place—when a child is able to forgive himself and experience forgiveness through the grace of God—there is reason to rejoice!
I recently watched 100 former child soldiers sing and praise God for rescuing them from the hands of their oppressors. Their rejoicing centered around Psalm 13:4-6, which says, “Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, ‘We have defeated him!’ Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. But I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me.”
While in the hands of their captors, the children had prayed, “O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they have rebelled against You” (Psalm 5:10).
Though much time elapsed between their prayers and their deliverance, the children were ultimately able to reflect the continuation of that psalm, which says, “But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread Your protection over them, that all who love Your name may be filled with joy. For You bless the godly, O Lord; You surround them with Your shield of love” (Psalm 5:11-12).
What a beautiful example of redemption and restoration is displayed when children, once trapped in a wretched existence, rejoice because of what the Lord has done for them. —Roxanne Robbins
What can you do to help the child soldiers of the world? How does the redemption of those once held in physical captivity inspire you to seek freedom for those trapped in spiritual chains?
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