In an Internally Displaced Peoples’ (IDP) camp, a place where one is supposed to be at least relatively safe, Boko Haram has infiltrated and killed four people while injuring four more. It was reported on Saturday, June 30th, 2018, that Boko Haram insurgents made it past the Nigerian army’s security measures, and had opened fire Friday night. Two of the insurgents were killed; the rest escaped after the Nigerian army fought back.1
When nothing makes sense, what are we, as people living in a sad and broken world, going to do? We know that we cannot go through it alone; we need Jesus to help and lead us through every up and down in this life. And while we may know Jesus, we, at times, can live in such a way that it seems as if we don’t truly know Him. This kind of cognitive dissonance—acting as if we don’t know Christ, when we surely do—is something that can happen a lot. How do we face the tough times in our lives, living out what we know to be true?
A pastor, Dr. Jeff Shreve, has an amazing and very comforting message called “How to Get Up When You’re Down” that speaks directly to this question of how to trust in God when the world has completely knocked you down and laid you out. I don’t want to take his work and pretend it is my own, so I will share the message link, here.
Friend, whoever you are, and whatever you have gone through, know that it is Jesus’ Heart for you, that You would trust in and rely upon Him for whatever is needed. Christ is the Deliverer, and He longs to have you trust in Him for deliverance only He can provide.
As these precious people are kicked while they’re down, let’s pray for them—that they would put their Hope in Christ, and would trust in Him during their suffering. It will not be like this forever; and our God is good. May we live our lives in reflection of who God is, and His truths.
If you do end up listening to the message from Dr. Jeff Shreve, please let me know what you thought of it in the comments section!
Do you know Jesus?
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
(Romans 8:32, NIV)
Father God proved His Love for us when He willingly gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sin. Learn more about who Jesus is, and the role He plays in saving those who believe in Him, here.
Please pray for…
- Those who are currently suffering in the IDP camp that was attacked by Boko Haram.
- The Chibok girls, and Leah Sharibu—you can find their names and pictures, here.
- Those currently in deep, deep despair. May Jesus bless and comfort those who are broken and contrite, in heart and spirit (Psalm 34:18).
Thank you for your prayers and support!!!
1 https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/07/boko-haram-opens-fire-in-idp-camp-kills-four/
ISAIAH 62 PRAYER MINISTRY 