Each year The Voice of the Martyrs puts out a map of the world showing the places where Christians are severely persecuted. It is interesting that most of the countries in south Asia impacted by the earthquake and tsunami are nations where scores of Christians have been mistreated and killed over the past several years.
Does the God who brought His wrath on the nations of old who harmed His people still rise up in anger? Does God still judge nations? While numerous dire prophecies were spoken to nations that mistreated Israel, we know that God’s people received the most warnings and the most discipline. A loving Father disciplines those He loves. In sharing about the wrath that would come against all godlessness and wickedness, Paul quickly makes Roman Christians examine themselves: “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So, when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” (see Romans 1 and 2)
How easily the attitude of Jonah can creep in! “When God saw what they (the people of Nineveh) did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the Lord, ‘O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.’”
World Vision, Compassion International, Gospel for Asia, Open Doors, Campus Crusade for Christ, Samaritan’s Purse, and Youth With a Mission are just a few of the many organizations rushing to the devastated countries in the name of Jesus. A cup of clean water, clothes for the naked, food for the hungry, care for the sick, comfort for the grieving, and love for the lost… this is the kindness of God.
The last time our friend from India, Pastor Nag, visited Atlanta, he asked that we join him and his fellow workers in praying that two million people in his state would come to know Jesus in 2005. He called this week, mourning the fact that 15 of his brothers and sisters are still missing from the storm, but excited that people who have never known the love of Christ may have a chance to see Him. He believes two million souls can be saved.
I confess I don’t always get as excited as I should about such prayers. Surely it is because I think too much about the temporal rather than the eternal. “Lord, help me to look beyond the external and see souls. Lord, help me to think like You do. Lord, let your kindness and love lead the lost to repentance. Empower your servants to take care of the hurting and let Jesus be known. And don’t let me have the wrong attitude of Jonah.”
“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God…” Romans 11:22