When the king of Moab saw that the battle had gone against him, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they failed. Then he took his firstborn son, who was to succeed him as king, and offered him as a sacrifice on the city wall. The fury against Israel was great; they withdrew and returned to their own land. 2 Kings 3:26-27

Even though the Moabites will be defeated in this battle, Moab makes one last ditch effort to rally the troops: he offered his firstborn son as a sacrifice. The significance of this should not go unnoticed. Firstborn son. The father’s pride and joy. The heir apparent to the thrown in Moab. The king of Moab didn’t take that action lightly. He was willing to sacrifice his most prized possession to defeat the three kings and their armies.

In the world we live in, many would never sacrifice a child for a military win. And yet, there are many who sacrifice their lives for various, causes they were willing to die for. Yesterday I discussed the persecuted Believers in their own countries. Pray again for the persecuted Church. When one man or woman is hauled away to prison, he or she leaves behind others who love them and weep over them. Pray for those Believers as their fight must be difficult, if not impossible. Pray that God will encourage them greatly. And as I mentioned yesterday, ask God what you (and I) can do to help on this side of the world.