Today I am mourning the loss of people I don't know. Approximately 10 people have been murdered in cold blood, because of their faith in Christ Jesus. The persecution of Christians in THIS land has been few and far between, but yet, it has happened again.
In prayer and meditation, I have come to the conclusion that I agree with the coward shooter in one way. Yes, today, they will see the Lord of lords and King of kings. They will enter a heavenly home. We (Christians, and specifically, the families of those who were slaughtered) are left with the turmoil, heart-ache, and the questions of where do we go from here? Pain, heart-ache, confusion...these are not good qualities. These feelings lead to fear. Fear of God is good. But God's word warns about the fear of man.
"Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety." (Proverbs 29:25)
Many thoughts from this verse come flooding in, and I'd like to take a moment to share, in hopes to give you both hope and direction.
One
If we fear man, those who intend to do us harm, we live crippled lives. This is also, like the verse "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." (Matthew 16:25) Being willing to live boldly and fully, trusting that this life is temporary, and this next life is eternal, will allow us true freedom. In trying to live safely, hanging on to life, then in reality, this is how we lose it. Don't allow the evil people of this world to cause you to fear.
Two
Trusting in the Lord means safety. I know, it seems that those who trusted in the Lord in Oregon were far from safe. It is BECAUSE of their faith that they were murdered. But have faith, don't lose heart. GREAT IS THEIR REWARD IN HEAVEN! Trusting in the Lord, means that we also trust his plan. Sometimes that plan doesn't look like our plan. Sometimes, we are so busy planning our lives, that we forget to ask God what HIS plan is. Sometimes, I think we get this picture of God being a giant Santa Claus in the sky. He is ALL good, yes, but what he sees is far greater than what we see. "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9) Part of faith is letting go to our ideals, knowing that He who is greater than us, has your best interest at heart.
"What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" (Romans 8:31) Just because someone is against us in the earthly realm, doesn't mean they have any power against us in the spiritual realm, in the realm that is eternal. And if Paul's words aren't compelling enough. Lets look to Jesus, "But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he's the one to fear." (Luke 12:5)
Three
In reading scripture, there is NO question about whom we should fear, however, we are human, and because of that we will fail. But thankfully, Christ has made a way for that too. Yesterday, my post was about the mercy of Christ, and how perfectly does that apply to today? Even during his last moments on earth, before HIS brutal crucifixion Christ was thinking about us. All of his disciples would scatter and deny him. And he told them this in advance. But he wasn't angry. Jesus had a plan..."But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So WHEN you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32) When we fail Him, and we will, don't accept the condemnation of the evil one. Accept the mercy of Christ. I imagine there were kids at the college who did believe in Christ, but when they saw what would be their outcome if they said yes, they lost heart and denied Christ. But what GOOD NEWS for them as well! Accept the mercy of Christ! Repent and turn to HIM and get back to work helping others. What a great story of redemption!
As followers of Christ, we truly have hope. We have hope that NO ONE without him could begin to understand. Fear? Yes, but fear the the almighty God who has power over heaven and hell.
Four
In looking up the scripture in Proverbs about fear of man, I couldn't help but notice the following 2 verses.
"Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the LORD." (Proverbs 29:26)
My thoughts come back to the people of our great Nation with this verse. Many people will look to leadership to deal with these horrors. And my prayer in this is simple, THAT THEY STOP! Our leadership thinks the answer to this problem is more gun control. HOW FAR OFF BASE could this response possibly be? Not only are we trying to deal with symptoms, not problems, these measures will actually make the problem worse. As frustrated and disappointed as I am with this cold-hearted and foolish response, this verse reminds me that our president (or "RULER") is not the source of justice. God is. Even though we will continue to have to live with the effects of our government's decisions, we know that these effects are at best only temporary. Our faith is not of the rulers of this world, and today that gives me GREAT peace.
"The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly." (Proverbs 29:27)
Since the beginning of time, descension has existed between the godly and the wicked. Today, this theme still rings true. No one is righteous or godly without God's great grace, but those of us who have accepted this mercy, will continually be at odds with those who haven't. It's not a pretty principle, but it's truth. Does that mean that we get to act on our ideas? No. Even within the state of our current feelings, our actions must be in align with the word of God.
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12) Being against something in the heavenly realm in not the same as being against something in this earthly realm. I think its important to remember, that even though God doesn't change, how that "looks" from an earthy perspective does. We see God in the old testament speaking directly to Abraham and Moses. Then in the new testament, through Christ, and then often through dreams. Sometimes he says stay and wait, and sometimes he says go and fight. Because of this, I don't believe that there is a "pat" answer to all of the decisions in our lives, especially when events of this world give us real reasons to fear. But what does stand the test of time is faith in God.
"Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness." (Isaiah 8:20-22) This is a great description of those looking for answers away from God. They are in the dark, and they are ill because they are hungry and tired. They rage and curse and they find trouble and sadness. Guys, does this not sound like our world?
So the hope is this, God is in control. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
The direction in this, Don't give up, follow Him. Seek Him in ALL you do, and when you fail, allow His mercy to wash over you, pick you up and set you right again. Do you stand? Do you fight? Do you wait? I don't know, that's between you and God, but "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31b) "Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." (Proverbs 3:6)
I pray you have a day full of peace that passes understanding and a joy DEEP in your heart!
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