Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. John 14:27 (WEB)
So, with this promise we can obey Christ in this –Matthew 28:19-20 The Great Commission of Christ.
Many of you have heard the story of Corrie Ten Boom. She and her father, Casper, and her sister, Betsie, were watchmakers in Holland until the German occupation began on May 14, 1940. The Ten Boom family were devoted believers who saved Jewish lives at great personal risk. Corrie continued to teach the Gospel to mentally handicapped youth, who were also targets of Nazi hatred.
Wouldn’t you think that God would have a great reason for wanting to go on protecting the Ten Boom family in the relative comfort and safety of their home?
That question underscores the limited perspective humans have about God. He sees infinitely more than we do, including the millions of Jewish prisoners needing the Gospel. The Ten Boom family shared their convictions to save lives. Who knows how many were led to faith in Jesus by obedient believers?
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.
We may never know how many faithful but unknown Christians have lived in dangerous circumstances to bring the Gospel to lost people.
Jesus–Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
The Israeli-Hamas war is just the sort of circumstance where you would find courageous believers.
I had been reading the news feeds about kidnapped or brutally murdered people, including children. My first response was deep sorrow, but then the Holy Spirit started teaching me. He is always faithful to reveal wonderful truth when we listen to that tender voice.
The Holy Spirit led me to start praying not just for the kidnapped Israelis, but for many believers who may have been trapped in this Satanic attack. I know that God has His people there to share the Gospel with victims, soldiers, waiting families, and even the enemy?
I hope you will begin to pray for believers in Israel. Many of you are already praying for the victims and their families. Add these courageous Christians to your prayers. God sees everyone there and calls us to be obedient to Him.
Prayer is an act of obedience that leads to a close relationship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit will help you identify tasks God designed for you. Ask Him to help you follow in His footprints; you never know where they may lead.
You see something happened that I am convinced was the leadership of the Holy Spirit. During all of the footage of the initial attack, I noticed a young woman who was obviously injured and being taken in the back of a truck. The video footage was horrific.
Later the very same footage was replayed on broadcast news. Her name and face appeared on the screen. I happened to catch her name, so I began to pray for her. Later I mentioned this in our small group at Church and many others began to pray for her.
Months later, she was released from captivity. I still pray for her salvation, because although she is home, and she has become a voice for others who have faced this terror, she still holds to her Jewish faith. She still rejects Jesus.
I don’t believe that I have some kind of Spiritual inroad with God. God wants all people to know Him and be saved. But I also believe that the Spirit allowed me to be convicted to pray for her. The rest is up to the Spirit and the young woman. (Romans 2:4)But I hope one day to meet her in Heaven.
Whether or not she ever gives her heart to Christ, I am convinced that I was obedient in the moment. And that is how it happens. When believers least expect it, the Spirit will call you to step up and follow obediently in service to the Lord and to bring glory to God.
Maybe the Spirit will ask you do simply pray for someone. Maybe He will require something that demands sacrifice. The cost could be high. If so, He gives timely courage and strength. But whatever God asks of you, I hope that you will be ready and willing when God calls on you. There is no better place to be than to be in His service.
For another example of shining service for God is the story of Esther, in the Old Testament.
These days are awfully dark. But Jesus is our steady hope. Psalm 139.
This Psalm tells you how precious you are to God and that He sees His courageous people no matter where they may be.
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
World English Bible (WEB)
by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
