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.
