To the Ends of the Earth: Protecting Children — Friday
Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us… (NIV)
There’s one part of the problem that we haven’t addressed yet this week: the abusers themselves, the men and women who perpetuate the sex trafficking industry. The abuse happens because of the greed of “owners” and the lust of “clients.”
It’s hard for most of us to imagine someone actually doing this, so they become a nebulous, faceless evil in our minds. We’re overcome with thoughts of wanting all of God’s judgment, vengeance, and wrath to reign down on them! They are evil, and justice must be served! Right?!
In the midst of those emotions, I have to remind myself of two things:
1. God says, “It’s mine.”
God tells us in Deuteronomy 32:35 (ESV), “Vengeance is mine.” He will repay. Judgment is coming. If we think these injustices make us angry, how much more do they anger God? Mark 9:42 (NLT) says of children, “…if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.” We can rest assured that nothing escapes His eyes and nothing will go unpunished.
2. They are redeemable.
Yes. As hard as that is to say, they are image bearers of God, they were fearfully and wonderfully made, they have a soul, and that soul is redeemable. God so loved those caught in sex trafficking that He sent His Son to die for their sins and reconcile them to a loving relationship with Him. The heartache that we feel can be a great teacher; it shows us the devastation of sin.
A big part of prayer is opening our imaginations to what is possible. Today’s verse reminds us that God can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” So what if God got a hold of them—people on the inside, people who know the inner workings of the sex trafficking industry? What could God do? He’s done way crazier things, so why doubt that He could save them and dismantle the industry from the inside out?
Friday’s Reflection
Let’s end the week with maybe the hardest prayer request: Pray for the abusers, the perpetrators themselves. Imagine what could happen, and then ask God to do it. Pray that they would be rescued from the chains of sin and their eyes would be open to the gospel.
