Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. — 2 Kings 5:2
I have a question for you. Was it God’s will for this young girl to be taken captive?
In few words, the writer of this passage sweeps over an enormous personal tragedy. A village was burned. Men were cut down. Women were violated. Children were scattered. Human beings were uprooted from all that was good and sure and secure, and turned into property.
How could this be the will of God?
Most of us know the story. The writer is setting the stage for the healing of a man, the eternal salvation of an important leader, and the healing of nations. The way God got there was through this great tragedy — a young girl taken captive.
Some people believe that the sovereignty of God excludes human choice. But God is not so insecure. He gives people freedom to make terrible choices. His sovereignty just means that He always wins — that no matter what we choose, His good plan will unfold. It is like me playing chess with the great chess grandmaster, Bobby Fischer. I might choose my moves, but Bobby Fischer will choose the outcome of the game.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
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Visit DwightClough.com for more information. Dwight and his wife Kim are active members of Lake City Church in Madison.