Hearing about how Christians are being persecuted, tortured & killed for their faith hurts.
For we are one body, one bride, one church in Jesus.
And when one part of the body hurts, the whole body feels the pain. Sure, those closest to that part may feel it more intensely, but when the part is removed, the whole body has to readjust and learn to compensate.
God calls us to life down here on earth, in the midst battle over the ground the enemy is trying to conquer as his….each of us.
You see, the enemy doesn’t really want land mass, he wants to rule the masses.
He is jealous for God’s kingdom, and will not stop trying to destroy it until Jesus comes and puts an end to him once and for all.
The enemy knows this, which is why he tries so hard to discourage, stir up dissent, distract & decoy us from Kingdom living.
He thought that if this slaughter of His lambs were made public, he could turn the flock away from the Lamb.
He was wrong.
God’s people begin to pray all the more and share Jesus all the louder when we hear & see His people being taken out.
For where the enemy leaves wounds, God brings healing.
Where hearts are broken, God binds up & makes anew.
Where anguish is the cry, God brings His peace.
These are not just platitudes, but hard earned truths I have experienced in my life.
You see, a few years ago now, my lovely sister in law decided she couldn’t take the burdens she carried any longer, and listened to the enemy’s lie that she was better off dead.
She succeeded.
And almost destroyed her husband, rocked our world & stirred up the mental strongholds the enemy has over a few of the family.
If it hadn’t been for God, there would be no family left. Honestly.
God showed up so powerfully at her funeral, and the gospel was fully shared for all to hear…for she was a believer. I know, because i witnessed her genuine acceptance of Jesus as she poured out her need for him.
Had I not been there, I couldn’t have reassured her husband and mine that she was in God’s hands.
Not the enemy’s greedy clutches. as he had hoped.
God honors our heart’s cry for Him, even if we wander lost for a season or two in the desert.
The peace that God brought into this situation was beyond capture-able in words.
He revealed His love and grace, mercy and calm beyond words.
We hardly had words to speak in our grief, but He knew.
So my prayer for all of us in the body who are dealing with traumatic loss, heart break, illness, family chaos, debt?
May you press into His Presence with everything you’ve got.
He will be there when you seek Him.
He will hold you together when you begin to fall apart.
He will never leave your side through the lows.
He will rejoice with you in the highs.
He will lavishly love you every step of the way for the rest of your life.
When words fail, the Word steps in and intercedes.
Because what breaks our hearts matters to Him.
When His children hurt, He hurts. When His children die, He cries for our loss as He gathers them Home.
Our words may fail us in the storms that come, but our Word never will. Ever.
If your heart is heavy, draw near to Him and ask Him to lighten your load. If your soul is parched, ask Him to quench it with life & hope again. If you hunger for more, He will meet your need.
And if you find yourself facing your ISIS one day, He will more than equip you to stand your ground, and lead you into heaven at His side.
And what about the enemy? He knows his days are numbered, and he knows who will win.
He knows it isn’t him.
One God rules, forever and ever!
KARLA LEES 