We know intellectually that life is fragile, and that any one of us could leave this world at any time. But the reality has become much more than theory recently. We have loved ones who should still be here. They have been taken from us suddenly, and seemingly before their time.

Never has this hit home more than the last couple of weeks.  To chat with a friend at church and make plans for the following week, only the next morning to hear that this bright light among us is now gone. It seems impossible to reconcile the news as real.

Is there anything redemptive that can come out of this culture of death that has thrown its nets over the global community these last few years?

The Lord is infinitely good beyond the scope of our comprehension, even when the whole world is falling apart.  The grief and loss, if given to Him, He will not only share in with us, but He can redeem it to instigate in us a fire to see His word accomplish its purposes in tangible and expedient ways.

In the midst of compounding discouragement and frustration and sadness, I would like to testify personally of how the Lord has quickened eternity in my heart and opened doors to see the good news of His saving Kingdom come to the nations:

• While out shopping last week (and in spite of my poor attitude), He orchestrated events to allow me to pray healing in the name of Jesus over an immigrant while her children watched and heard. Salvation has come to that house!
• While watching a documentary on life in Sakha Republic (Northeastern Siberia by the Arctic Circle where the average winter temperature is -58F) and seeing how the natives worship gods that cannot bring life, I wondered who could reach them with the good news? The Lord connected me to an organization with amazing testimonies of reaching the unreached, even when it means a four-hour perilous ride by snowmobile to make disciples of a remote tribe!
• The Lord also directed some of us in a three-day fast for specific national events. While I struggle to fast effectively to the degree that I did in my younger days, He was faithful to carry me through it successfully, which is a work in itself.  Despite grim and even chilling news of how Christians – but even secular outlets that report truth – are being treated by powers here in the U.S., great is the confidence He gave us that His Spirit is on the move. Dominoes are falling, principalities toppling!
• A boy in Sunday school who professed in detail seeing demons in his room asked Jesus to be Lord of his life, even before I could get out the words to ask him if that was what he wanted.

These are just a few highlights of the wondrous grace of our Lord this last month, and how the hand of Jehovah moves at the prayers of His saints, despite the lawless times we are in.

A line from the old hymn “Crown Him with Many Crowns” replays these days in my mind. “Who died eternal life to bring/And lives that death may die.”

“And lives that death may die.”

We too have died with Christ. And we also live that death may die. There is a curious abandon to the things of this world and a quickening of the desire to see His kingdom come when we grasp the brevity of life – that in fact, “we have [already] died and our lives are hidden in Christ” (Colossians 3:3).

*Crown Him with Many Crowns, Matthew Bridges, pub.1852 v. 3 by Godfrey Thring, pub.1874