A Victim, But Not Forsaken
And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away
out of the land of Israel a little maid: and she waited on Naaman’s wife.
2 Kings 5:2
Read 2 Kings 5:1-4
Many victims lose their freedom during times of war. In an amazing way, the
providence of God determined that a young Jewish girl was taken from her
parental home during a Syrian plundering expedition. The parents were
helpless to defend their daughter from being kidnapped by rough Syrian
soldiers. What thoughts must have arisen in these parents’ hearts? Why
did the Lord not prevent this? How could such things even be possible if He
was truly the Shepherd of His people Israel? God never slumbers or sleeps.
What was the real meaning of this tragedy?
Perhaps similar questions have come into your mind as you consider various
situations in your life. Yet, the saying is true also today: Regardless how
dark God’s way may seem in your life, His favour rests upon them that fear
Him. In Psalm 73, Asaph was also confronted with what seemed like incongruities
when he compared the lives of the wicked to God’s dealings with the
righteous, but he was kept from rebelling.
However, the young Israelite girl was forced to experience a completely
different world in a foreign country. She had to live in a heathen land with
a heathen family. If anyone was a victim in need, it was this young girl.
But, she still received help from the Lord; He was with her and would not
forsake her. He remained faithful to His own Word: I will never forsake
thee or leave thee.
Thought: If you may experience that in spite of great trials entering your
life, your heart still rests in the Lord, your perspective on victim-hood will be
radically transformed. .
Psalter 427: 4 (based on Psalm 118)
In truth, the Lord has sorely chastened,
But not to death delivered me;
In His paternal love He hastened
To mitigate my misery.
Now open at my salutation
The gates of truth and righteousness,
And I will enter with elation,
There to proclaim my thankfulness.
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