Malak Farag Abram’s murder requires me to face the facts. I don’t watch the news. Other than sports, I don’t watch television shows (I almost forgot…I watch cooking shows too).
The persecution of Christians isn’t a Hollywood production with actors pretending, special effects appearing to be real, all being shown on a screen that will be blank in one hundred and ten minutes – then we’ll get back to our lives as usual.
This is REAL LIFE! There is no remote control and I can’t change the channel.
In today’s news I read that the residents of the home village of thirteen of the #ORANGE21 martyrs are violently attacking the grieving families. The grieving families are only making every effort to keep the tradition of building a church building in honor of the martyrs. This has been common practice in Christianity for 2,000 years. The muslim neighbors are saying, “You can’t live and you can’t have a funeral for the deceased either.” http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/03/31/egyptian-copts-attacked-for-seeking-church-dedicated-to-workers-killed-by-isis/?intcmp=populardiscussions
These are not what the western media insists are “radicalized muslims.” They are simply Muslims. When I seek to obey the Bible, I am not a radicalized Christian, I am simply Christian. These Muslims, seeking to fulfill the commands of the Koran, are not radicalized either. They are simply making every effort to obey their book.
Friends, we can’t change the channel. This is real deal life.
Malak Farag Abram’s martyrdom calls me to again count the cost of following Jesus. I have been sent to the nations of the world not as a victorious westerner, but as a lamb into a pack of wolves (Luke 10:3). The time has come when killing me will seem to them like a service to God (John 16:2).
It is again time to count the cost of discipleship.
In Honor, Respect and Gratitude for Malak Farag Abram
Almighty God, we thank you for your son, Malak Farag Abram. His life and death bring me face to face with the realities of the world today. In your wisdom you are allowing your children to be slaughtered as lambs being torn asunder by wolves. With this, I can only trust you. Help me lean not on my own understanding.
I want to say, “That bad movie is over. Let’s change the channel and get to U.S. Open.” but this isn’t television, and my remote control isn’t in charge. In your timing, you will make everything new. Help me to wait in confidence on you, Lord.
The cost of discipleship is greater than a short prayer at the end of a thirty minute television message on prosperity can endure. Lord, my soul longs for your help in counting the cost of being your son.
Thank you for the tremendous example of your son, Jesus, and your son, Malak Farag Abram.
Comfort all who mourn today.