On February 10, 1675, 50 colonial families in Lancaster, Massachusetts,
feared possible Native American raids. Joseph Rowlandson, the Puritan minister
of the village, was in Boston pleading with the government for protection,
while Mary, his wife, stayed behind with their children. At sunrise, the
settlers were attacked. After some of the settlers were killed, Mary and other
survivors were taken captive.
Mary experienced both kindness and cruelty from her captors. The Native
Americans, aware of the religious nature of the settlers, gave her a Bible they
had confiscated. Later she would write in her memoirs about God’s “goodness in
bringing to my hand so many comfortable and suitable Scriptures in my
distress.” God’s Word was her great comfort until she was ransomed by the
colonists on May 2.
As the nation of Judah waited to be taken into captivity by a foreign
power (Isa. 39:5-7), the despair of its people must have been great. But even
in that dreadful anticipation, God’s words brought comfort: “The word of the
Lord which you have spoken is good!” (v.8).
Have you been taken captive by circumstances beyond your control? If so,
read and meditate on the Word. And experience God’s comfort.
God’s Word is the true source of comfort. (RBC)
