March 29, 2010 Warning: Reading this devotion may burst your bubble! The world in which we live is a very sick place. Lincoln did not release all of the slaves for all time. Atlanta the home of Martin Luther King Jr. is now considered a city which is instrumental in human trafficking domestically and globally. Human trafficking has become a major concern in Atlanta because of Hartsfield International Airport which is a central connection for domestic and international flights. Other contributing factors for Atlanta as a primary city for human trafficking are the large undocumented immigrant population, and its large sex industry. Strip clubs, prostitution, and escort services are abundant. All these reasons work together to create the perfect climate for human trafficking in Atlanta. It is estimated that between 14,500 to 17,500 people, primarily women and children, are sent to the U.S. annually. 200-300 children are abducted each month and traded as slaves. Human trafficking is a 32 billion dollar industry worldwide, second only to drugs. 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “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, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. Luke 4:16–22 Pray that God will set the enslaved free. Ask God to convict the hearts of those who are abusing these people so they will repent. Ask God to help us to witness more boldly and effectively so that the hearts of people can be cleansed from the poison of sin.