6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
I want to key in on verse 7: remember this, He - God - cares for you. Because He cares for us, we can trust Him with our lives. Because He cares for us, we can experience victory over the power of the enemy. He cares for us in our sufferings and in our delights. He is with us, and our lives can be established and secure in the knowledge of Him. When we realize that we don't have all the answers - but He does - we place ourselves in the position to receive His resources.
In Luke 9, Jesus taught about the concept of surrendering to Him, sacrificing our own lives so that we can know His life and the redemption of our souls:
23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?
Just before the two prisoners who were sentenced to death for drug smuggling were to be executed in Indonesia, they were singing "Amazing Grace," then "Bless the Lord, O My Soul," according to a summary on the Christianity Today website. The report says that a pastor, Karina de Vega, told the Sydney Morning Herald, “They were praising their God,” adding, “It was breathtaking. This was the first time I witnessed someone so excited to meet their God.”
Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were the ringleaders of the "Bali Nine," who gained international attention for turning to God during their decade-long stay in an Indonesian prison.
Chan became a Christian while in solitary confinement. He told Australia's Bible Society: “It wasn’t until I was in solitary that I felt the need to be on the right side of God.” After reading through the New Testament four times, he said, “I was on my knees and cried for the first time in years."
After his conversion, Chan studied for six years to become a pastor. He taught Bible classes, ran a cooking school, and was featured in an anti-drug documentary for school students while in jail. He was ordained in February.
The CT report referred to a quote by Baptist News Global from Tina Bailey, who, along with her husband, had worked with Sukumaran and others on a prison art program: “Over the time I have known them, I have seen two young men find hope and healing through what they are doing in making art and sharing their skills with the other inmates,” adding, “They are leaders with a beautiful, positive influence.”
First of all, we're reminded that God's redemptive hand is extended far beyond what we might imagine. He desires for all to be saved. Even a criminal who commits heinous crimes can be redeemed if he repents and comes to Jesus. We can recognize that God is powerful and capable of changing any human heart.
We also see that Andrew Chan came to Christ during a period of solitary confinement. He was in a desperate situation, and he took the opportunity to evaluate his life and it was found to be wanting. You will hear about people who have accepted Jesus at the end of their rope, at the end of themselves. When we come to a place when we are emptied of self, it gives an incredible opportunity to be filled with the Spirit of God.
In a way, this can also remind us of the benefits of solitude. Andrew Chan was given the blessed opportunity to spend time alone. Perhaps the voices of the world and the prevalent distractions were eliminated so that he could think and respond to the voice of God. We do well to spend time alone in His presence so that we can know Him, commune with Him, and allow Him to speak to us and to help us evaluate our lives through the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, you see a wonderful example here of the power of praise. In a situation reminiscent of that of Paul and Silas as they sang praises in a prison, so too these men had songs of praise in their hearts as they were facing death. When we are facing the most challenging situations of life, perhaps a song of worship and praise can testify to God's presence, can lift our spirits, and change our perspective.
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23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?
Just before the two prisoners who were sentenced to death for drug smuggling were to be executed in Indonesia, they were singing "Amazing Grace," then "Bless the Lord, O My Soul," according to a summary on the Christianity Today website. The report says that a pastor, Karina de Vega, told the Sydney Morning Herald, “They were praising their God,” adding, “It was breathtaking. This was the first time I witnessed someone so excited to meet their God.”
Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were the ringleaders of the "Bali Nine," who gained international attention for turning to God during their decade-long stay in an Indonesian prison.
The CT report referred to a quote by Baptist News Global from Tina Bailey, who, along with her husband, had worked with Sukumaran and others on a prison art program: “Over the time I have known them, I have seen two young men find hope and healing through what they are doing in making art and sharing their skills with the other inmates,” adding, “They are leaders with a beautiful, positive influence.”
The two men corresponded with Pastor Brian Houston of Hillsong Church in Sydney. He wrote on the Hillsong website:
“By all accounts, these two young men—whom I have had the great privilege of being in personal contact with over the last number of months—have not only accepted the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, but have also rehabilitated themselves to be upstanding members of the prison system...Even in jail they have made a positive contribution to the lives of other prisoners, and sought to pay their debt to society. I have had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Chan almost everyday and his faith and strength under extreme duress, have inspired me.”Chan wrote his own eulogy, and it included these words:
My last moments here on earth I sing out 'Hallelujah!' I ran the good race. I fought the good fight and came out a winner in God's eyes and men. I do have a story to tell, that story's determined by you all on how you witness me. Ask yourself: 'What did I leave with you?' That will determine my legacy.Here are some thoughts that can arise from this incredible story:
First of all, we're reminded that God's redemptive hand is extended far beyond what we might imagine. He desires for all to be saved. Even a criminal who commits heinous crimes can be redeemed if he repents and comes to Jesus. We can recognize that God is powerful and capable of changing any human heart.
We also see that Andrew Chan came to Christ during a period of solitary confinement. He was in a desperate situation, and he took the opportunity to evaluate his life and it was found to be wanting. You will hear about people who have accepted Jesus at the end of their rope, at the end of themselves. When we come to a place when we are emptied of self, it gives an incredible opportunity to be filled with the Spirit of God.
In a way, this can also remind us of the benefits of solitude. Andrew Chan was given the blessed opportunity to spend time alone. Perhaps the voices of the world and the prevalent distractions were eliminated so that he could think and respond to the voice of God. We do well to spend time alone in His presence so that we can know Him, commune with Him, and allow Him to speak to us and to help us evaluate our lives through the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, you see a wonderful example here of the power of praise. In a situation reminiscent of that of Paul and Silas as they sang praises in a prison, so too these men had songs of praise in their hearts as they were facing death. When we are facing the most challenging situations of life, perhaps a song of worship and praise can testify to God's presence, can lift our spirits, and change our perspective.
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