Sadly, only around .17 of Maldives' population claim Christianity! The other 99% are Muslim. 50% of the population is unreached.
There is so much to learn about this country. You can find all that information along with more specific prayer needs here. Pray for your brothers and sisters there, and more importantly for the advancement of the Gospel into unreached people groups.
Today, my reading plan takes me to the book of Job. You know the story. God tells Satan there is no man on earth like Job. God basically dared the enemy to try and turn Job against Him . The first five chapters are an emotional roller coaster. God allows Satan to take everything from Job except his life. He loses nearly everything in one day.
That is an extremely basic/brief summary. There is much to be learned in the first five chapters.
Although I've heard the story many times, a few verses spoke to me today.
Job's own wife tells him to curse God, and in chapter 2 verse 10 he calls her a fool saying, "...shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?".
I really admire Job.
In the midst of his suffering, a few friends visit him. In short, Eliphaz says to Job in chapter 5 verses 18-22:
" For he wounds, but he also binds up;
He injures, but his hands also heal.
From six calamaties he will rescue you;
In seven no harm will befall you.
In famine he will ransom you from death,
In famine he will ransom you from death,
and in battle from the stroke of the sword.
You will be protected from the lash of the tongue,
and need not fear when destruction comes.
You will laugh at destruction and famine,
and need not fear the beasts of the earth."
What a wonderful Father we have!!!
"You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth."
There is nothing in the world to fear. No battle too great. He is in control.
I'm so happy we have the Word of God and its records of men and women of faith. These aren't just stories. It's so hard for me to wrap my brain around that.
Of all things though, what strikes me the most is as tragedy built upon tragedy, one after the other, Job still worshiped!
Four different messengers/survivors came to Job in a matter of minutes to tell him the tragedies that had a occurred. Literally while the first one was still speaking the second came, and while the second was still speaking the third, and so on...
the loss built on loss..
First his oxen and donkeys were stolen from his field and his servants put to death.
Then fire fell from the sky and burned up his sheep and servants there.
Then his camels were stolen and his servants put to death.
Lastly, the most devastating loss of all...
Job's seven sons and three daughters were crushed in their brother's home while they ate.
Wow.
Job loved his children so much, he regularly made individual sacrifices for each one of them just in case one of them had cursed or sinned against God in their heart.
It's all about his reaction though. He tore his robe, fell on the ground, and worshiped his God.
I am reminded that our God is sovereign. The sovereignty of God is the only foundation for worship in the midst of tragedy.
I think David Platt puts it well:
- The sovereignty of God is the only foundation for worship in the midst of tragedy.
- God’s sovereignty assures us that He is in control.
- God is with us.
- God is for us.
- God’s sovereignty reminds us that Satan has been conquered.
- God’s sovereignty guarantees us that one day suffering will conclude.
- Ultimately, tragedy on earth can only be understood rightly from the perspective of heaven.
- Life is fleeting.
- People are perishing.
- Eternity is coming.
We, as believers, as children of God, have a mission. It is urgent.
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