The darkness outside mirrored the darkness in the hearts of the 105 passengers & crew of Air France Flight 139 as they huddled under the heavy watch of seven armed members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization. For seven days now they had struggled to maintain hope as they comforted and encouraged one another. Sleep offered only a momentary respite from the tension which made minutes seem like hours, hours like days, and the days like weeks, months, or years.
In the gloom that followed sundown this day, the distant rolls of thunder accentuated the oppressive deadline that awaited on the morrow. The line had been drawn in the sand. If 53 known terrorists being held by Israel and several other countries were not released, these 105 souls would pay the price with their lives.
Fatigue and fear had performed psychological surgery on the captives, extracting any sense of optimism and implanting a dreamlike fatalism. The cloud of depression that enveloped their minds seemed to descend on the terminal in Entebbe, Uganda like a suffocating fog.
Physically, they were sprawled across the facility’s floor. Emotionally, they were much lower. None entertained the notion that their national leaders would ever yield to the PLO’s demands. By their assessments, surely they would spend the rest of their lives – however brief – in this place.
Approaching midnight, those still awake listened as the storm seemed to draw rapidly nearer. Then, in an instant, it seemed the thunder was pounding on the terminal door. The entryway crashed open and the storm was now upon them.
An abrupt flash!
A rapid staccato crash!
Eyes, blurred by exhaustion, stumbled to embrace the sight of commandos storming through their own airport Alcatraz. What was happening?! In the midst of it all, a lone voice bull-horned above the clash: “Stay down! Stay down! We are Israelis!”
Automatic weapons fire filled the air, spraying plaster and finding flesh. Within minutes - the first few minutes of July 4, 1976 - all seven of their captors were no more.
The Son of God storms into the midst of our gloom and, in Luke’s gospel, chapter four, verse 18, He grabs the bullhorn and proclaims,
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Though the enemy has long held you in oppressive darkness, our Lord & Commander has come to set you free. Though your mind’s voice declares it impossible, it is not. Though, in times past, you have fought to liberate yourself - - only to be imprisoned again - - Jesus will not fail. His is a crucial storm for us all. The day of the Lord’s favor is now, if you will accept it.
It’s really very simple. Just pray a prayer like this one in faith:
“Lord Jesus, I confess my sin & failures to you and accept the forgiveness & freedom that only You can give. I will do my best to follow You, as You teach me to follow. I trust You and thank You. –Amen”
(If you prayed this prayer in faith, I would be honored if you would let me know. You can email me at challengepointe@aol.com.)
This is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis.
Doug
