Where was God?
Where was the Almighty while twenty-one Egyptian Coptic Christian men were murdered by ISIS for professing their faith in Christ?
Joshua 24:15 says, Choose you this day whom you will serve….
And on February 16th, 2015~~
Twenty-one Christians chose the name of Jesus!
This horrific event happened last month, but the image of these martyrs will not be forgotten. Not by me.
What about God?
Is there any doubt that He saw these men dying for their faith, claiming the name of Jesus?
If so,then why not spare these men?
Why didn’t God step onto planet Earth and perform a miracle that would prove He is real, and turn the world upside down? And thereby show how much God loves His own.
The ones He chose and knows by name.
Actually, God did!
Two thousand year ago, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Jesus, the Son of God, spoke about the Kingdom of God. He performed miracles to prove His deity.
“Then God demonstrated His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us“(Romans 5:8).
But in case we forget, Jesus warned His followers: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18). “…If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you….” (John 15:20)
Where was God when the twenty-one Christians died?
God was present with each man.
Because His Spirit lives inside every Believer, and the Lord has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you“ (Hebrews 13:25).
Twenty-one Christians died, but “their blood is the seed of Christianity.”
The words of Tertullian’s (A.D. 160-230) during the early stage of Christianity rings true today:
“Proceed in your career of cruelty, but do not suppose that you will thus accomplish your purpose of extinguishing the hard sect (the Christians). We are like the grass, which grows the more luxuriantly the oftener it is mown. The blood of Christians is the seed of Christianity. Your philosophers taught men to despise pain and death by words; but how few their converts compared with those of the Christians, who teach by example! The very obstinacy for which you upbraid us is the great propagator of our doctrines. For who can behold it, and not inquire into the nature of that faith which inspires such supernatural courage? Who can inquire into that faith, and not embrace it, and not desire himself to undergo the same sufferings in order that he may thus secure a participation in the fulness of divine favor?“
Yes GOD was right there and always is.
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Yes, God was right there. And isn’t it wonderful that a believer doesn’t have to be kneeling on the sand, facing his death, to be aware of God’s presence and the satisfaction of knowing God is with us!!
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Love the perspective. Thanks, Karen. Gave me goose bumps.
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Thank you Susan for sharing. 🙂
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Thanks, Karen, for both remembering the men and reminding us faith is real.
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You’re welcome Susan! After I posted the blog, I realized I left out one important element. The resurrection of Jesus! This blog could imply Jesus was persecuted and died, and His followers are no greater than their Master. However, that’s not the rest of the story. Jesus died, but He ROSE AGAIN and showed himself to his disciples so they’d know there is life after death….with Jesus! That’s the victory!
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Hi Karen
I wrote a blog on the topic of were is GOD on my blog yesterday, here is a copy of it.
WHERE IS GOD WITH US?
A. In the furthest place.
[1]. Philip in the desert -(Acts:8:26-40)
[2]. Elijah on the mountain -(1Kings:18)
[3]. Daniel in the lions den -(Dan:6)
[4]. Jeremiah in prison -(Jer:37)
B. In the assembly of the saints -1Tim:3:15; Heb:10:25)
we need to know and trust that GOD is with us no matter were or what.
Blessings
Alex
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I guess our hearts were on the same wavelength. Thank you for sharing the Bible verses that support God being with these men. It’s hard to say everything about this subject in a short blog.
Isn’t it wonderful to know the Lord is with us in this very moment. 🙂
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I’m so glad you wrote this article! That picture haunts my memory, also. and the bravery shown by those men that day is overwhelming.
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Yes, that image has stayed with me. I saw where a Christian University chapel had 21 seconds of silence…as the video showed each man’s name. Sobering. Much I could write on the topic. However, my aim was to remind people that not only was God in their midst, but the persecution of Christians is still happening. And their deaths no less valuable in the Kingdom of God than the early Christians who were fed to lions etc
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