The Scripture reading used with today's Our Daily Bread is different from today's Bible reading. However, once again my motto proves true: All Scripture is relevant, and all Scripture is related.
The theme of freedom and slavery show up throughout First Corinthians, and that is a sub-theme of today's ODB. Also, yesterday's holiday commemorating our national freedom continues today and throughout the weekend.
I attribute this to God's sense of timing, which, as usual, is remarkable.
People who find something of value are generally eager to keep it. In such cases, the notion of “finders keepers” seems like a good thing. But what if the thing we find is a problem? In that case, we’re eager to give it up.
While working for the US Justice Department, Gary Haugen discovered a big problem. Someone needs to do something about this, he thought. He looked around for someone who could take on the injustice and abuse of authority he had uncovered. But then he realized that God was looking at him. In 1997, Haugen founded International Justice Mission to rescue victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery, and oppression.
Just as Moses was God’s answer for the slavery of His people in Egypt (Ex. 3:9-10), so too Haugen and his team are becoming God’s answer for those in slavery today. As Haugen says, “God doesn’t have a Plan B. His plan is you. You are the answer.”
God places us in unique circumstances where our abilities match the problem He wants to fix. Jesus said that what we do for those in need, we do for Him (Matt. 25:35-40).
Have you found a problem? How might you be God’s solution? God may want you to be an answer to someone’s prayer. — Julie Ackerman Link
Another good question to ask ourselves today would be, "Who do I know who is enslaved by sin—either their own or someone else's?" How might God use me to be the solution?In addition to those you know personally, you might also want to help those you don't know by making a contribution to International Justice Mission.
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