“Somewhere,” I think, “that person’s mother may be watching this news alert.” A second American journalist has been beheaded.
I don’t want to picture that scene, but as the news continues and informs us that American ISIS members with valid passports may be reentering our Southwest borders, the back of my neck sports raised hairs.
Over the last month I’m certain I’m not the only woman who has imagined the horror of watching her child or grandchild stand in front of the man with raised sword and hooded face. Like you, I wonder what I’d do if Jayda or Pierce were standing before the executioner and I was being forced to deny my faith in Christ.
In all our lifetimes, we have never heard reports of beheadings on the evening news, and while it seems surreal and remote, when we lay wide-eyed in the night trying to believe this could never happen here, the what ifs jockey for position in our thoughts.
As a follower of Christ, I ask myself, Where’s the remedy for this?
In light of these reports and the fear that stalks, is there an alternative for those who profess faith?
After some time to think quietly and pray, this is what comes to me.
4 Keys to Thinking Differently about Evil Advancing in Our World
- Be present. It’s been our sermon and small group emphasis for the last six weeks. In this case, I think it means Wake Up, Be Alert and Pay Attention to what is creeping into your soul. Remember that scene in The Ten Commandments where the blood has been applied to the lintels of the doors and that green foggy smoke crawls down the street curling around corners and doorways? That’s how I picture the pervading fear that’s creeping into our society. Here’s the same idea in the movie Prince of Egypt. Are we going to subject ourselves to the domination of that fear? Really?
- Remember who you’re fighting. Our battle is not with ISIS, ISIL, or anything else comprised of flesh and blood. Did you forget that? To think differently is to repent—to change the way you’re thinking. There is a battle alright, but it’s with dark forces that oppose the kingdom of God, the domain in which believers live (see Ephesians 6:12). You’ve been transferred out of that dark place and equipped to stand against it by faith in the finished work of Christ.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer. A misnomer for sure as it should be called the Disciple’s Prayer. When asked, Jesus taught them to pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” Cry out this powerful petition: “Deliver us from evil.” Would Jesus ask us to pray a prayer He has no intention of answering? Only as His kingdom advances will we push the darkness back to the hole from which it slithered.
- Ask God to make you ready. No need to be alarmed; just be prepared. Rise above those vain imaginations and let’s remember to get our armor in place. It’s time to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12) we’ve been assigned to. Fear is a weakness and only tells our enemies we don’t believe or trust our God who has promised to protect those who call on His name.
Yes, I acknowledge we’ve banished God from our schools and are reaping the hell of a godless society. I’m also aware we’ve murdered over 56 millions babies since Roe vs. Wade and more by neglect and abuse.
But I also know this…as bad as Sodom and Gomorrah were, God would have spared them had there been ten righteous people in the land. More than ten of you reading this are righteously praying for our nation so there is still hope. Many thousands of people intercede daily for America. Do not lose hope.
Let’s remind each other to take Jesus’ words to heart when He said,
The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world. ~ John 16:33b MSG
Attribution for photo used:
Author: Ruth Hartnup
Author URL: https://www.flickr.com/people/ruthanddave/
Title: All her eyes are evil
Year: 2006
Source: Flickr
Source URL: https://www.flickr.com
License: Creative Commons Attribution License
License Url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
License Shorthand: CC-BY
A very timely post, Cathee and one, if we’re honest, each of us has, is or will struggle with as we see these terrifying scenes and hear what is happening all around us.
One thing that keeps me from a melt down is to remember that this is just a temporary life. We’re pilgrims and strangers who may sojourn on this earth 70-80-90 years but then? Eternity! As Jesus said, when we lose our lives on this earth, we gain.
When I was a young teenager, we were hearing stories of believers who were being challenged, with guns to their heads, to deny Christ. I went crying one day to my mentor (Sue Staford) and told her that if someone had a gun to my head, I wasn’t at all sure about my response. Her wise advice that I have remembered to this day was, “Kathy, there is no gun to your head now. If and when there ever is, He will give you answers and the grace to go through whatever you have to.”
Wise and comforting words to hang on to.
The prince of darkness and host of demons are lurking everywhere. Rick Blythe. Good words