Hidden? Or Hiding?

In the early 80’s we heard of a young man who regularly preached the gospel in a certain park in Southern California. Some were annoyed but others enraged. Those who hated Jesus and the call to repentance decided to silence the messenger. He was murdered. 

Could God have protected this man? Of course, for nothing is too hard for God. However, I’ve had some questions about this particular incident and my own boldness and lack of boldness. Is boldness always from God or can we simply spout off when He wants silence? If this man was bold because of God, did God use it to lead him to his death? 

Are there Christians that God is protecting by not giving them that Holy Spirit boldness? Jesus says never cast our pearls before swine lest they turn on us (Matthew 7:6). If I want to speak out and feel a restraint that is not fear, is that God keeping me from danger? Or am I making excuses for my lack of boldness? Why can some preach without persecution and hundreds are slaughtered each week for doing the same thing?

This morning I read about God’s protection for His Son when Jesus was a small child, likely about two years of age...

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” (Matthew 2:13)

The devotional writer asks questions too. Since Christ is born in me, isn’t my life precious because of the One who lives in me? If so, will the destroyer of souls will try to destroy His testimony by destroying me? I know that Satan tries to prevent me from telling others about Jesus, His forgiveness and the eternal life He offers. God can protect me, for we live in a land that has laws against killing people for their faith or for any other reason. But then I think about that young man… 

God protected Jesus by sending Him with His family to Egypt. In the Old Testament, God’s people were sent to Egypt to protect them from death also. There is symbolism about fleeing to Egypt. Egypt becomes a picture of living in the world, of being just like everyone else and not standing out as a Christian. Is it possible that living in the world could be a God-allowed thing to protect His children? Even if that were so, I know that those who stay there too long will find themselves in a place of bondage. The world is not friendly toward the Son of God or His followers.

More questions. Does God hide His most vulnerable children today? Are there Christians who are hidden in the world because boldness (which is natural for those filled with the Holy Spirit) would bring them to an untimely death? Or is worldliness just an excuse?

I’ve no answers for these questions only that God wants me to speak up in the power of the Spirit and trust Him regarding persecution. The rest of what He is doing is hidden to me. Those who seem to be His children but seldom speak of Him are none of my business except to exhort and encourage them as God gives me opportunity. I cannot make excuses for them or for myself when it comes to lack of obedience.

I know also that there is a day coming when they shall say, “They are dead which sought the young child’s life” (Matthew 2:20). In the New Testament that meant that Jesus’ family was is free to return from Egypt. It also hints that there will be a day, perhaps an eternal day, where those who hate the gospel and reject the Son of God will be no more. When that happens, God’s people will no longer need protection or excuses. We will freely proclaim that Jesus is Lord.

Why Bother with Prayer?

At one time or another, most of us wish we knew the future. Some people spend money for such things as palm reading and horoscopes, even hoping the piece of paper in a fortune cookie will give them an inkling of what to expect. 
 

This morning’s devotional verse started me thinking about what I know about the future, and more importantly, what I’m supposed to do about that knowledge. The verse is from the account of three messengers from God who appeared to Abraham, whose nephew, Lot, was living in the wicked city of Sodom. 

The Bible calls these messengers ‘angels’ yet one of them is called the Angel of the Lord. Many have determined that this special angel was a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. In this story, the three angels discuss the future and…

The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do…” (Genesis 18:17)

Evidently they decided to reveal at least part of their plans to this man because Abraham begins talking to the Lord, asking that He will have mercy on at least some of the people in that wicked city. No doubt he is thinking of Lot and his family. 

As I read this, I thought about my own understanding of the future and how I need to talk to God about that in relation to those in my family who are living in a sinful world. This is what God reveals about His future plans…

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24)

He has life for those who believe in Jesus and judgment for those who do not. The Bible could not be more clear; this is the plan of God. He hides it from some, but reveals it to those who have faith like Abraham.

So what do I do with that knowledge? The above verse also answers this question. People need to hear His Word so they can believe. How can they hear if no one tells them? The Bible is clear on this; those who believe must share what we believe with others. God sends me right into the places where my loved ones live to share His Word with them.

For this, God reveals that I must go to sinners. I cannot consider myself ‘holier than thou’ and dismiss to their fate those who are headed for judgment. Jonah did that and wound up in the belly of a fish! Yet at the same time, sharing Christ without discernment isn’t God’s plan either. He has a strong warning about sharing the gospel with those who have already rejected it: “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you” (Matthew 7:6).

In the story of Abraham, this man seemed to know that Lot was or would become a righteous man (2 Peter 2:7) so Abraham also prayed for him, asking God to deliver him. He also seemed to know that the other residents of Sodom were evil and he offered no prayer for them. If God gave an unusual revelation to Abraham, that had to be it. He knew who to pray for and who to leave out.

For me, this is a reason for wanting three angels to come for a visit! I know that some “religious” people are not going to have eternal life. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21) and that many “tax collectors and sinners” will be there. I can intercede as Abraham prayed but God has hidden from me the knowledge of who will be saved and who will experience His wrath.

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Lord, there are times when the burden of those headed for future judgment totally overwhelms me and I want to take a vacation from caring about the fate of others. Intercession is hard work. Yet You tell me to pray. You also sent Jesus to live in me. Because He lives forever, I will live forever. Because He also lives forever to intercede for me, how can I not do the same for others?