FEAR HIM WHO CAN .............(Mat. 10:28) - DEVOTIONAL

 "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

(Mat.10.28.NIV)

I would never have understood this verse of the Bible but for the testimonies of two events that took place many years ago.

We have witnessed or heard/read about the unnecessary torture of Christians by terrorist or the haters of truth. We have all wondered at a point in time why our God, the God of the universe, the God who can do the impossible, will allow such suffering to happen to His own! Maybe this was why Peter decided to cut off the ear of one of those sent to arrest Jesus!!!.

Ten years ago, there were twenty-one men murdered in broad day light by ISIS in Libya. They were slaughtered because they will not deny Jesus. There blood soaked the sand and mingled with the water at the beach. The world was horrified. (You may want to watch the animated film of this event. - The21film.com). The gruesome act left the faith of many shaking, while some questioned the very foundation of their faith.

Then, there was Dr. Helen Roseveare, a white woman and missionary for many years in Congo. Her faith in Christ was very strong. Shortly after Congo got her independence, war broke out unknown to her and her group. Many missionaries were killed and she was brutally beaten and raped in 1964.  According to her, she cried to God for help before the incidence and she heard Him in her spirit say; 'would you permit Me the use of your body?' There it was! God was there with her! He allowed it for a better reason. She survived to tell her story which comforted many and brought many more to Christ. (You may want to read more on the Internet)
The evil men were able to 'destroy' the believers' bodies but not their souls. They all dropped their mortal bodies, (the brutalised body) in the grave for a brand-new immortal body and an everlasting life, just like Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:52)
Dr. Helen Roseveare died in 2016 at age of 91 years.

"So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows; for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known." (Mat.10:31, 26.NIV)

WORD: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Pet.5.10.NIV)

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