Readings for today: Revelation 7-9, Psalms 42
I have the great privilege to be part of one of the great Kingdom movements of our time. I have met thousands of indigenous missionaries who are planting churches in rural villages all over the Horn of Africa and beyond where the gospel has never been preached. They risk their lives to go to places like Somalia, Yemen, Djibouti, and Sudan. They confront pagan priests, witch doctors, Muslim imams, rival tribal gangs, and local warlords. They face all kinds of political and social and cultural pressure. They are often beaten and left for dead. They go hungry. They go thirsty. They are homeless. They are isolated and in many cases, on their own. But still they persevere. Though they may be arrested and go to prison. Beaten and go to the hospital. Killed and go to the morgue. They do not stop. They will not stop. I believe these are the ones described in Revelation seven when John sees in his vision those who have been given white robes, who have come out of the tribulation.
Why do these men and women do it? Why do they risk it all for the sake of the gospel? Why do they lay their lives on the line day after day, despite all the hardship, suffering, and pain? They believe with all their hearts that God will one day wipe away every tear. God will one day heal every hurt. God will one day repay every injustice. God will one day judge those who persecute them. How can they have such confidence? They believe what God says in His Word. “For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple. The one seated on the throne will shelter them: They will no longer hunger; they will no longer thirst; the sun will no longer strike them, nor will any scorching heat. For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; he will guide them to springs of the waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:15-17 CSB) This is the future they have in view. They do not expect to have it easy in this world. They come from a context where every day is a struggle. Every day is filled with suffering. Every day is a battle for survival. So they do not place their trust in the things of this world and instead, look to the world to come.
Would that we would do the same! In my context, it is easy to fall in love with the world. The desires of the flesh. The desires of the eyes. The pride of life. All of these are eminently attainable. All of them are available to me. Given enough time. Given enough resources. Given enough access and opportunity. I can pretty much do what I want. I can live a pretty comfortable, if not luxurious life. But that isn’t God’s plan for me. He has something so much greater and more fulfilling in mind if I will simply trust Him. Obey Him. Follow Him. Sacrifice everything for Him.
Readings for tomorrow: Revelation 10-11, Psalms 43