Our entire world has essentially been taken captive by the coronavirus. It is as if we have all been carried into a foreign land. Where everything is different than what we had become accustomed too. Saftey seems distant and many are living every day in fear of what will happen next. No one can say for sure if normal will ever return. All that being said, as Christians, we must continue to hold on to our convictions throughout our time in captivity.
This is not the first time God’s people haven be forced into living in captivity. In fact, we see it happen time and time again through the Bible. Both on the national level as well as on the individual level. Through all the accounts we read the true people of God do not allow their captivity to change what they believe.
For example, take the prophet, Daniel. As a young man he, like many other Jews, was taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar. He was forced into a new and far different land. Forced to follow the orders and decrees of a new non-Jewish king. However, Daniel was strong in his faith and was not willing to let go of his convictions. Even refusing the food from the king’s table that he was supposed to eat because he knew it would defile him. While other Jews sharing in his captivity let go of their convictions and are the king’s food.
Daniel 1:8 (ESV)
8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.
Daniel continued to hold tightly to his beliefs throughout his life. When the next king, King Darius, was convinced to ban prayer to anything but himself or face being thrown into a den of lions. Daniel still did as he had always done and prayed to the Lord his God three times a day. Because he was not going to allow anything to change his convictions. Even if it meant certain death.
Daniel 6:10
10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
The Apostle Paul was also quite familiar with being held in captivity. As he was taken prisoner multiple times throughout his ministry. Never once though did he allow his time in captivity to have an adverse effect on his faith. Instead, we read that even chained in a dark jail cell he praised loud for all to hear. Even using such time to share the good news when anyone he could.
Acts 16:24-25 (ESV)
24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
Philippians 1:12-14 (ESV)
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
When those in captivity hold on to their convictions not allowing their circumstances to affect them God will often move. Pouring out an unexpected blessing in their life or simply protecting the person. Daniel on a diet of only water and vegetables was found in better appearance and shape than those eating directly from the king’s table. Later he would survive a night in a den of lions and emerge without a scratch. While praising God the chains that bound Paul fell off and the doors to the cell feel off. All in a miraculous way by the hand of God.
Daniel 1:15 (ESV)
15 At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food.
Daniel 6:21-22 (ESV)
21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”
Acts 16:26 (ESV)
26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.
Every Christian needs to look at the example put forth by these great men of faith and follow it. Hold tightly to your convictions during this time of captivity. Don’t lose faith or change your lifestyle during this time. Cling to what you believed before you ever heard of COVID-19. By standing strong in your faith you may witness a blessing poured out in your life just as we see those in scripture did.
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