For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:27-28

NOTE: THIS DEVOTION MAY NOT BE UNDERSTANDABLE OR APPROPRIATE FOR THE YOUNG. PLEASE REVIEW IT BEFORE YOU SHARE. THANK YOU, PASTOR KLAUS

A week or so ago there was a Daily Devotion about the sinking of the ferry in South Korea. It was a story that was thoroughly covered by all the media. The entire world was touched by the tragedy and outraged that the ship had been carrying cargo, which was double the limit of the ship.

The same day that ship went down, there was another tragedy, a tragedy which was not as well covered. Still it was a manmade tragedy, which also changed the lives of hundreds of young people. On April 16, Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group, broke into a Nigerian school and kidnapped 200 girls. Since then there have been other girls who have also been taken by that same group.

Weeks later, a spokesman for that group released a video. In that tape he boasts: "I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah." Later he adds, "We are holding (these) people (as) slaves."

It is impossible to imagine the heartbreak of the families of these girls or the terror of these young ladies whose world has been rent asunder. The prayers of every Christian ought to go up for their safe release.

But there are other things which I can't imagine. I can't imagine a world where girls are abducted because they wish to have an education. I can't imagine a world where 200 girls can be kidnapped and loaded into a convoy of trucks and simply disappear. I can't imagine a world where people support terrorism actively with their actions or passively with their silence. I can't imagine a world which has markets that traffic in, and put a premium price on, innocent girls, and I can't imagine a religion which does not in words and actions condemn and bring to justice those who say they are acting in the name of their god.

Oh, there's one other thing I can't imagine. I can't imagine people are serious when they say, "All gods are the same, and all religions ultimately believe the same thing."

They don't.

This is why I give thanks for a Savior who came to seek and save all the lost. I can rejoice in a Savior who came to be the Physician for all souls who are sick with sin. I can praise the Savior who gave His life to save all the sheep.

Yes, I can give thanks that the Lord inspired His apostle to write, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Those words transformed the world 2,000 years ago, and they are doing the same today.

This is why we should pray, that by the Lord's grace, those who are in darkness may see the light of forgiveness and hope, which has been won by the crucified and risen Son of God. May they see and be transformed.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, by Your care and compassion I have been released from the shackles of sin and the slavery of the devil. Now may You be with those who still suffer under the cruel yoke of hatred, prejudice and wrong belief. Grant families be kept safe and give peace to those who are troubled. This I ask in the Name of Jesus who lived, died and rose for us all. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 23-24    John 6:41-71

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