Not finished with this topic yet. It continues to weigh on my mind; I guess even more so because of re-reading McManus' book, Seizing Your Divine Moment and preaching a series from the passage he looks at(1Samuel 14).
McManus makes the point that we can and do know God's general will: to be people of grace and truth-doing good works, sharing the Gospel, and so on. But, he says, within that there is much uncertainty. We have no guarantees that doing the right thing will ensure that we will be kept safe and sound. God promises us His presence and eternal life, but does not promise that nothing bad will happen along the way. Jesus is the ultimate example. He was not kept from humiliation, pain or death. In fact we are told more than once that we should expect trouble and persecution.
I came across the following story a week or so ago that illustrates this very thing. John(70) and Eloise(65) Bergen from British Columbia had been serving for a few months with Hope for the Nations in Kenya, Africa. One night they were attacked by eight people with clubs and machetes. They were beaten, cut and left for dead.
Their current plans are to come back to Canada for physical and psychological therapy and then return to Kenya to serve the Lord in caring for orphans. Amazing! You can read more here.
I'm reminded of Matthew 10:28. Jesus says, "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." This couple seems to care much more about serving and glorifying God than about fear of those who can kill the body. I admire and thank God for their faith and obedience.
McManus rightly says we usually don't get to choose when or how we will die, but we can choose how we will live! God help me/us choose to live in the will of God without fear! I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Dave
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