A family headed for missionary training was killed by a truck driver, just months before they were set to leave for Japan. The father had explained their mission in his blog: “The Japanese people are either the largest or second largest unreached people group on earth . . . The church in Japan is not yet large enough to share Christ and disciple new believers on its own. There is a need for more laborers.” This family answered God’s call but died on their way.
The family’s pastor spoke of the mysterious providence of our Creator. “God is sovereign over all events, and this tragedy did not surprise Him. So we take Psalm 46 to heart, ‘Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and mountains fall into the heart of the sea. . . . The Lord Almighty is with us.’ He’s ‘our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1-7).”
Yet there’s more to consider. Paul wanted to visit the church in Thessalonica and encourage them in the joy of the gospel. He said we “tried again and again” to “come to you,” but “Satan prevented us” (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Paul believed in the sovereignty of God, but he also knew we’re in a spiritual war. He wrote, “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against . . . evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
God is sovereign over all things. Yet He has given us freedom to choose both good and bad. He has also allowed Satan a season to battle against good. The evil one prevented Paul from visiting the Thessalonians, and he may have prevented this family from reaching Japan.
The battle continues. God’s call still stands. “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” By His strength, may we say, “Here I am. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 1:1-13
More:
Read Ephesians 6:10-20 to learn how to be strong in this spiritual war.
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Where do you see spiritual attacks occurring in your world? How can you face them with confidence?
Gary Shultz on June 15, 2017 at 5:58 am
Hi Mike: I think the question is – where don’t we see spiritual attacks in the world? Over and over we hear bizarre things in the news, and life almost seems like the whole thing is like the misfortune you spoke of today. However crazy life seems God stands in full control, what appears to us as a total defeat, from that God brings purpose. Yes, I agree that an overall view of this world will leave us reeling, and pain and loss is experienced by many, God has not been out maneuvered. I am sure many readers here have read or heard the testimony of God pulling out of the ashes of tragedy, purpose and peace, but there was in some cases great pain and loss. Even a quick review of Paul’s life is replete with great personal and physical strain. This is how and why I can face difficulty in my life, because I know my Lord will always have purpose in my life. His love would never allow anything else, and His powerful hand will always finish His purpose. Thanks Mike
Mike Wittmer on June 15, 2017 at 8:38 pm
Yes, Gary. We are in a spiritual battle, which makes even our small lives and ‘small’ sins especially significant. Our lives and our choices matter to God!
don777 on June 15, 2017 at 6:03 am
Jesus is the one who concord death. He is the one who number our day’s. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV) 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Some times things don’t make sense to us. But by knowing the Character of God, the love He has for us, (the Cross) is why we can trust Him. Plus John 6:68 (NKJV) 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Just like in the book of Job He doesn’t explain, He just ask us to Trust in Him. Satan has no control over children of God all he can do is tempt us. Romans 8:31 (NKJV) 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Thank You Father, Jesus & Holy Spirit. +>i
tccarr777 on June 15, 2017 at 6:54 am
Mike, are you suggesting that Satan “may have prevented this family from reaching Japan” through death?
remembered on June 15, 2017 at 9:05 am
Alive, is the ONLY WAY the family could make it to Japan, as Missionaries of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
There is a widespread deception in among professing Christians regarding the state of the dead, that supposes that people become ghosts after they die. Scripture plainly exposes the lie of Satan in the Garden that he has continued to perpetrate on the human race: “Ye shall not surely die “ Genesis 3:4
“…the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
It IS possible to be alive physically, but dead spiritually:
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness…” Romans 1:18
“…unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Revelation 3:1
“Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife. But Abimelech had not come near her…” Genesis 20: 2, 3
The family was killed on their way to Japan; their witness and testimony and preaching of the Gospel and doctrine of Jesus Christ was terminated, physically speaking. However, as with Able, the son of Adam and Eve, Noah (Heb. 11:7) along with the righteous examples of all Christian martyrs (Heb. 11:36-40) yet “spoke after death” of “the faith of Jesus” Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
2 Corinthians 4:5-12
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
1 Corinthians 4 1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
tccarr777 on June 15, 2017 at 9:25 am
My question pertains to physical death
Mike Wittmer on June 15, 2017 at 8:40 pm
tccarr777: I don’t know, but I would say “may have.” Paul said he was prevented by Satan from reaching the people in Thessalonica, and that may be the case here. There is no way to know for sure, but we can say with certainty that we are in a spiritual battle, and that God is stronger than the devil.
tccarr777 on June 16, 2017 at 8:42 am
Thank you
tccarr777 on June 16, 2017 at 8:55 am
I struggle scripturally, and spiritually to understand how God would allow Satan, to take the life of a Christian. Certainly as Regina Franklin points out, “There is a difference between what God “authors” and what He “allows””. Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate and respect you, and this publication.
oluwaseunpupo on June 16, 2017 at 5:07 pm
Yes indeed, God remains in absolute control and devil could do nothing if God does not ‘permit’ it… as in the case of Job. However, we really do not have answers to many of the tragic things that happen to us. We only know that:
1. Our God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, reigns supreme.
2. He still works through tragic circumstances to bring about eternal good…. often times in ways beyond our understanding;
3. His love for us is not in doubt…. Calvary is the evidence.
And so by grace, we can choose to trust Him still…. though He ‘slays’ us. We can trust Him to bear us up and help us such that our faith in Christ will not fail. And we MUST keep praying for one another, while putting on the whole armour of God as in Eph 6. for indeed, we wrestle not against flesh and blood….
Monica Brands on June 15, 2017 at 9:12 am
Thanks for this, Mike, I love the way you combine both God’s sovereign providence, working in and through all things, and the reality of a spiritual battle in which our choices matter. Often we simplify and “pick” one or the other, but both are true. Thanks for this encouraging word.
Regina Franklin on June 15, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Mike–thank you for your wisdom on a complicated topic. Yes, God is sovereign, and yes there is a spiritual battle, and yes, we have choice. Thank you for awakening us to the reality that our prayers–and our choices–are powerful in what God is at work doing on this earth.
Regina Franklin on June 15, 2017 at 2:07 pm
There is a difference between what God “authors” and what He “allows”–both of which take place from His position of sovereignty.
Mike Wittmer on June 15, 2017 at 8:42 pm
I agree, Regina. Two things can be true–God is sovereign and we are free. And it is essential to say that God’s relation to goodness is different from his relation to evil. The former he wills and the latter he permits. In everything He is sovereign, and mysteriously so.
yinka on June 15, 2017 at 6:24 pm
Thank you Mike for sharing, an insightful reminder that our works, our proffering solutions to situations, our running through visions, our carrying out callings,involves warfare,the dealing with the battles and wrestles..among other things.Being used to this,and seeing that with God all things are possible;that through Christ that strengthened us we can do all things,we can deal with all things, and we can bear all things,we continue to fight on,amidst what ever we may face. and however God calls us to himself we continue to fight on.
Please lets always see this,that despite and inspite of the battles and wrestles, as we continue to deal with bruises ,wounds and chastisements,(being used to this) there may be hindrances to but not preventions to accomplishments, for nothing happens without God allowing it.
Please let us at all times continue to see what the aim is, in the end ,its not the dealing with warfare in victory,its as we keep dealing with warfare in victory..among other things, we keep transforming from glory unto glory conforming into the image of the son,living to what we predestinated to be,through it all