“At Least 14 Dead in California Shooting, Two Suspects Killed”
“ISIS Warn UK of Terrorist Attacks if They Join France in Syria Air Strikes”
“ISIS Video Threatens Terror Attack on Washington-and Countries Taking Part in Syria Air Attacks”
What messages do these headlines send us? What does the reaction of general society to these headlines tell us?
-The only way to overcome terrorism is to fight back.-This life is all there is so when we’re threatened, it’s either kill or be killed.
-The only remedy for fear and the only hope for victory is found in our own strength.
-Terrorists are monsters and should be imprisoned or eliminated.
-If God is a good God, he wouldn’t allow terrorism and other forms of evil and suffering.
In hopeful counterpoint this time of year, we hear a different message.
“Joy to the World”
“Peace On Earth, Goodwill Towards Men”
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
“Season of Hope”
“A Savior is Born”
Which set of messages governs our lives? How do we as believers respond in this, “new age of terror” as I’ve heard someone phrase it?
Actually, it’s just the same old age of terror but with a new face. Suffering and conflict created by man misusing his God-given free will, have plagued us nearly since the beginning of the human race. It has ravaged or destroyed whole nations and people groups.
Every generation has faced their own version of terrorism. In the Old Testament, Israel’s enemies committed unspeakable acts as they invaded the cities of God’s people. In Jesus’ day, terrorism was perpetrated by the Roman government. King Herod viewed the birth of the Christ child as a threat to his throne. Insane with jealousy, he ordered all infant boys under the age of two slaughtered. Joseph and Mary fled the genocide, escaping as refugees to Egypt with their toddler son.
When Jesus began his ministry nearly three decades later, he faced greater danger from his own people than he did from the Romans. The Jewish leaders looked at the adult Jesus as a threat as well and sought their chance to eliminate him. They thought they’d won but the resurrection of Christ trounced their supposed victory and birthed the early church. In response, those same leaders, as deceived by misguided zeal as ISIS, hunted down the faithful disciples of the Nazarene, arresting, imprisoning and killing them. The most famous Jewish radical turned follower of the Savior was Saul who became the Apostle Paul after the risen Jesus confronted him on the way to his own personal jihad.
In later times, terrorism was perpetrated by Nero against Christians and Adolph Hitler against the Jews. Even in our own nation, groups such as the KKK, still in existence today, inflicted domestic terrorism on African Americans and other minorities as well as whites courageous enough to stand against their evil actions. Acts of random, mass violence from our own citizens seem to be on the increase. In other nations, Communism and radical Hindus continue to oppose and torment Christians.
In the midst of all this, a world celebrating Christmas devoid of Christ can only cover its fears with a fragile coat of bravado, admonishing one another to keep their spirits up, have hope in mankind and the military. They could well quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1933 Inaugural address. “[The] only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
It took more than a bit of courage for me to read and include the headlines that appear at the beginning of this blog. I am prone to anxiety in even normal circumstances and so I too battle the fear of our present national challenges.
As Christians, we know the real story behind Christmas–that the baby in the manger grew up, died for our sins, rose again and provides us with eternal life. We understand he’s coming back someday when he’ll set everything to rights. We’ve heard the truth time and again.
Does our faith in that baby who came to bring peace and hope for all eternity, who is now the King of kings, make a difference for us when the test comes? Many of us are already grappling with personal issues,e.g, financial woes, health problems, loneliness, broken relationships, emotional struggles. The increased violence and turmoil in the world only adds to our burden of sorrow, pain, and fear. Our own “coat of bravado” can feel every bit as human and fragile as the one the world pulls around its quaking shoulders. We struggle to trust in a God we cannot see and wonder if he is setting things to rights now and not just when he comes to visibly rule and reign.
So what does the message of Christmas, and its ultimate outcome have to say to us in an age of terror?
- God intervenes, even in the darkest times. We do not need to fear. (Psalms 27:1-3, Psalm 46, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 41:10, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-20)
- God is far greater than terrorists. (Psalms 2:2-6, 1 John 4:4)
- God brings peace through love. Only love will win against evil. (Matthew 5:43-47, Romans 5:10, Romans 12:14,17a, 19-21)
- God’s Kingdom is one of love, peace, and joy. (Romans 14:17, 1 John 4:16-18)
- Christians are the true victors and nothing can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:35-39)
- The terrorists cannot hide from God. They are limited in their power. (Psalms 33:13-14, Psalms 37:20, Luke 12:4)
- Only God can bring hope for this life and for the next. (John 14:6, Revelation 20:3-5, John 10:28, John 14:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:12)
- Only God can transform hearts and lives. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- We are not to battle people but the demonic forces of evil behind them and their actions (Ephesians 6:12)
- We are to aid and pray for those who are suffering at the hands of evil people (Proverbs, 24:11, Ephesians 6,19-20, James 2:15
- God draws us to himself through love which is his preferred method. (Jeremiah 31:3,1 John 4:10)
- God gives us victory over sin. (Romans 7: 23-25a)\
- God wants terrorists to be saved. (Ezekiel 33:11, 1 Timothy 2:1-5)
- God desires forgiveness. (Matthew 26:28, Luke 23:34 )
- Jesus modeled ultimate sacrifice and suffering. (Philippians 2:5-8)
- Sin and evil will ultimately be judged. God’s plans cannot fail. and he will make all things new. (Psalms 37:7, 13, Romans 12:19, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:1-7)
But does all of this really work when you’re faced with horrific violence and abuse at the hands of your enemies, when you see your children, frightened, hungry, and thirsty because you’ve been driven from your home? If I encountered these types of situations and knew I could die in the next few seconds, I wouldn’t trust my own strength for one millisecond. I can barely find the courage to share my faith in my own country where there is usually so little to lose for speaking up.
But we are not to trust in our own strength.
For security reasons, I am not at liberty to share details, but Christians overrun by the presence of ISIS militants are discovering God’s promises do work. Even when their strength fails them and they deny their Lord in fear for their lives, they are finding comfort and forgiveness, healing and restoration. Many have experienced miraculous strengthening power and deliveries from danger.
God is doing amazing works and intervening in wonderful ways amidst persecution and terrorist activity. The kingdom of God is expanding and the body of Christ is growing by leaps and bounds not in spite of, but even because of ISIS activities. Christians are being testimonies to the power and love of God, even in the most horrendous and frightening of circumstances and enemies of the cross are becoming followers of the One who died upon it.
Through the centuries, the message of Christmas has inspired many hymns. One of them speaks especially to us in our own “age of terror” reminding us of our God’s unshakeable plan and his holy sovereignty. I have included only verses two through four.
Vs. 2
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
I thought how as the day had come
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth goodwill to men.
Vs. 3
And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth goodwill to men.
Vs. 4
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor does He sleep.
The wrong shall fail the right prevail
With peace on earth goodwill to men
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – 1867
Below are several resources that offer more detailed information on God’s work among persecuted Christians as well as what these believers are facing and how you can help.
http://www.persecution.com/public/ministories.aspx
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/newsroom/
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/shows/cwn/2009/february/revival-comes-to-the-muslim-world-/?mobile=false
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