Righteous People do Perish

The righteous one perishes and no one takes it to heart; faithful men are swept away because of the presence of evil. He will enter into peace- they will rest on their deathbeds- everyone who lives up-rightly. Isaiah 57:1,2

We must face the fact that there are many righteous who are killed for their faith. We are seeing it now, ISIL are beheading Christians, various nationalities are persecuting Christians, our nearest neighbours in Asia do it. Our challenge is: what do I care? There are many petitions circulating in social media and the tendency can be to numb down and feel nothing because of the enormity of the problem. Yet I continually remind myself: 'what if it was me on a boat in the middle of the ocean, fleeing my country because of persecution, wouldn't I want someone to care? I must go to God and ask, "What would you have me do?"

I know signing a petition and praying is the least I can do. Doing nothing is dangerous, what I sow I will reap.

I know the coldness I have experienced in my own life and the lack of concern or caring. I have been left to fend for myself. God has sent a widow to help me. It makes me ask, 'Why did you send Elijah to a widow?' Why not a wealthy person, or even a reasonably well off person. The answer lies in the fact that only one who has suffered knows how to give, really give and to share what they have. It just so happened to be a widow for him and for me. It also is very humbling to receive from a widow. I suspect my character needed this experience.

All the apostles, except John were killed for their faith. They tried to kill, John but he survived boiling oil so they banished him to an island. We have to trust the a lord for our end, earthly end that is. We then get to live for all eternity. Nothing or no one, except us, can take that away.
 

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