News reports from the media have broken my heart lately as I am sure it has yours. The images we are seeing are gut-wrenching to say the least. In moments between clients or in other times alone, I have literally wept. I have cried out to God and asked for the people of Afghanistan to have mercy. Particularly the women.
Even worse has been what has NOT been reported on the National news. There are thousands of Christians who have been dragged out of their homes, rounded up, tortured, and killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Christine Cain posts on Instagram recently:
“At the moment we are praying desperately for friends on the ground in the house church movement in Afghanistan where the Taliban are coming after all Christians. Their courage is immense-most expecting to meet Jesus face to face in the next two weeks.”
To say it is the WORST DAY for the already persecuted Christians would be a strong understatement. But one of my “go to” prayers is often to ask God for His perspective on what is happening. I surely don’t have it. So, I asked. A few days later as I readied for work something came into my mind. It was directly related to what I had been thinking about.
It was the scripture in Acts about Stephen speaking before the Rabbinic court. He absolutely enraged his Jewish audience, and was taken out of the city and stoned to death. His final words offered forgiveness for his attackers, echoing those powerful words of Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:34).
“When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him…
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:54-60
Could this be the Lord’s perspective for me? Maybe a number of the Christians being killed looked up to heaven and realized that in the very instant they were killed, they would also change their address! Their spirits would be transported to be with their King that instant!
WORST DAY TURNED INTO BEST DAY! I began to pray that they too would be filled with the Holy Spirit and see the very Glory of God in those moments. I prayed that they could actually lay down and fall asleep!
I don’t know what God’s plan is, but I do know this, He has one. He is Sovereign over all world events and over our lives as we submit to His good care. I know that He can take a persecuted man of God being tortured and killed for his faith, and cause him to see the Spirit of God. He alone can help that man fall asleep during it all.
I advise this dear readers; ask God for His perspective on something in your own life. He will answer. He’s been answering questions from His people all throughout time.
And the other truth that I mustn’t forget is this: God can turn our worst days into our best days! The way we view our troubles on our worst day can turn when we see His perspective.
In His Care,
Darla France
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