Your Life & Mine   

Page 5

   If Jesus destroyed the devil's work, why do "good" people still suffer, and bad things happen to innocent children? 

   We may not have a satisfactory answer. Columnist Mindy Belz writes of "upside-down rejoicing." 

   Psalm 22 describes Jesus' horrible experience, centuries beforehand. In Hebrews 12:2 - Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame...

   Luke reports in Acts 5:41 the apostles were flogged, but left the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. Peter wrote, In this you greatly rejoice, though for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 6-7. 

   Disciples became so convicted of the Truth, they were willing to die if that was the cost of preaching to a pagan world. Most of them, including Peter, did give their lives, and believers still do.

   The light of men entered this dark world to show the way out. He is the way, the truth and the life. 

   Darkness remains until the day of the Lord. We need to remember the difference between two kingdoms, to understand our need and the Lord's provision. 

   If all trouble ended with Christ's ascension, how could we please him with faith, trust and obedience? No battles; no victories.

   God is working in the midst of evil. He adopts the lowly and needy. He raises churches in squalid refugee camps, and He strengthens followers in countries where his name is not hallowed. 

   Upside-down indeed.

Tomorrow: Greater than social justice