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High and Lifted Up: A Reflection on The Temple Imagery of Isaiah 6:1

The word translated “temple” in Isaiah 6:1 is the Hebrew noun hêkāl (הֵיכָל), which refers to a large public building such as a palace or temple (https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1964.htm). 

 Its root traces back to the Sumerian E.GAL, meaning “great house” (E = house, GAL = great). In Mesopotamia, it referred to any grand administrative building, especially a palace. It entered Hebrew and came to carry the sense of a sacred temple or divine dwelling. 

Hêkāl appears 80 times across 76 verses in the Hebrew Bible, spanning texts from 1 Samuel through Malachi. It is used for the pre-Solomonic sanctuary at Shiloh, Solomon’s temple, the second temple, and notably for the heavenly temple where God sits enthroned in passages like Psalm 11:4, 2 Samuel 22:7, and Micah 1:2. 

The word is not limited to Israel’s temples, either — Ahab had a hêkāl, there was a hêkāl in Nineveh, and even the king of Babylon had one. This breadth of usage reinforces its core connotation: a place of supreme authority and royal grandeur.

Thus, one key feature of hêkāl is its deliberate double meaning — it points both to a palace (a royal residence) and a temple (a divine sanctuary). 

Which Temple Does Isaiah 6:1 Refer To?

This is a much-debated question in biblical scholarship.

Though Isaiah may have been at the earthly temple, the vision makes him transcend the earthly to see the throne of God is in the heavenly temple (cf. Rev. 4:1–7; 11:19; 15:5–8). This is the heavenly temple after which the earthly temple was patterned (cf. Exodus 25:9; Hebrews 9:23–24). 

The choice of hêkāl in Isaiah 6:1 is intentional. At the death of King Uzziah after a “successful” reign, instead of hearing of a new earthly king, the reader is introduced to a heavenly and eternal King, seated on a throne high and lofty, with the hem of his robe filling the hêkāl, God’s royal throne room — where the true King reigns.

The train of God’s robe filling the temple communicates honor and dignity: kings of that era wore robes with long trains precisely because they were difficult to do any work in — wearing one signaled, “I am important enough that I don’t have to work. I am a person of honor.” God is so exalted that even the lowest edge of his robe fills the entire sacred hall, as His glory fills the earth. 

There in the heavenly throne room, the King of kings sits enthroned, holy and eternal, while Uzziah’s throne stands empty.

So what? How does this matter to our life today?

I’m glad you asked. Here are a few thoughts…

1.⁠ ⁠Contrast to See: God Reigns When Kings Die

The narrative frame of Isaiah 6:1 — “In the year that King Uzziah died” — is not incidental. It is the historical backdrop of the whole vision. Isaiah’s vision occurs at a time of national uncertainty, showing that God’s sovereignty is not dependent on earthly kings. The death of King Uzziah marks a time of transition, but Isaiah is immediately shown that God remains on His throne, ruling over all things.

For Christians in the world today, this is the best rebuke for any one of us trying to rule and run our life as we see fit. God is on the throne, we’re not. God is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent, we’re not. This is the best remedy against self-assertion, or fear and anxiety. 

For Christians in political power today, this is a foundational corrective: your office is temporary; God’s throne is not. A hundred years from now, every head of state in the world today will be off the scene. But as these earthly rulers relinquish their power, God will still be sitting on His throne. This is not a discouraging word — it is a liberating one. It frees you as a leader from the illusion that the fate of God’s purposes depends on whether you hold office or not. God is on the THRONE.

2.⁠ ⁠Command to Steward: All Political Power is on Loan

From a biblical perspective, the authority of human government is not absolute but rather divinely derived. The apostle Paul writes, “There is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1). Daniel 2:20–21 adds: “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.”  

The hêkāl — that royal palace-temple — belongs to God alone. Any earthly authority a Christian leader holds is a stewardship of borrowed power, not an achievement to be leveraged. The governing authorities should know that they are accountable to God for how they rule (cf. Daniel 4:26).  

For you as a leader, it is accountability before pride. Uzziah’s tragedy in 2 Chronicles 26 is a warning precisely to the politically successful — he was struck with leprosy because he confused his royal success with priestly standing before God. Success in office can be spiritually dangerous. May any Christian leader never mistake the throne they sit on for the Throne Isaiah saw. GOD is on the throne. 

3.⁠ ⁠⁠Call to Serve: The Pattern of Stewardship

Christians must recognize the limitations of human authority and the ultimate sovereignty of God. This perspective provides a grounding and humility that can guard against the pitfalls of power and pride in the political sphere. God’s glory fills the hêkāl — there is no room left for self-promotion. God is ON the throne. 

The Bible recurrently teaches that leaders should serve with humility (Mark 10:43–45) and act justly (Micah 6:8). Christian morality in public service means upholding honesty, integrity, and accountability, making decisions that prioritize the well-being of the people and seeking justice for all.  

4.⁠ ⁠ Commitment to Stand: Fidelity to Christ and His Precepts  

God monitors governments; God raises them up and brings them down. Every human government is accountable to God and is accountable to maintain its affairs with justice and with righteousness. When the government is no longer acting justly, it is the task of the church to be the “prophetic” voice, to call the state to task and tell the state to repent.  

Christians are called not to align uncritically with any ruler, but to measure all rulers by the standards of Christ.  

The Christian in political power must hold two things in tension: submission to legitimate authority (Romans 13) and fidelity to a higher throne. He must be willing to be a witness against the political machinery they operate within when it demands allegiance that belongs only to God. Daniel served Nebuchadnezzar faithfully — until Nebuchadnezzar demanded worship. The throne of Isaiah 6 does not allow for any compromise.

Friends, the Throne is Never Empty, even in geopolitical or economic uncertainty.

There is a throne in heaven, and the LORD God sits upon it as the sovereign ruler of the universe. 

Elections are won and lost. Coalitions collapse. Policies fail. Leaders die or disappoint. But the Christian who has seen what Isaiah saw — the Lord high and lifted up, the train of His robe filling the hêkāl — can serve faithfully in any political season, because their ultimate hope is not vested in any earthly outcome. God IS on the throne. 

May you and I live with peace, purpose and passion as we trust that God has declared: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My counsel will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’.” (Isaiah 46:9–10) 

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When a Machine Must Do What Character Should: A Christian Reflection on Integrity, Transparency, and Morality in Public Life

Madagascar’s new head of state, President Michael Randrianirina, announced this week that anyone seeking a ministerial position in his government will first be required to pass a polygraph test. “We will know who is corrupt and who can help us,” he declared. Yahoo!

The news has stirred conversation across the country. But beyond the political debate, this decision raises a profound spiritual question that every believer ought to sit with: What does it say about our society when a machine is needed to tell us what a person’s character should make plain?

⁠Integrity: When Two Lives Become One Secret

A lie detector becomes necessary when people have learned to present one face to the world while hiding another entirely. We have all seen it — the respectable figure whose private life is a contradiction of everything he publicly represents. The Bible has a word for this: it is called duplicity, and God hates it.

Proverbs 11:3 declares, “The integrity of the upright will lead them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.”


Integrity, in its root meaning, speaks of wholeness — being the same person in every room, before every witness, under every pressure.

A person of integrity does not need a polygraph because their private life is simply a continuation of their public one. There are no secrets to uncover, no hidden compartments in the soul.

When leaders require machines to verify what should be evident to all, it is a symptom of a deeper crisis — a generation of public servants who have mastered the art of disguise. They wear virtue like a costume, removing it when no one is looking. The tragedy is not merely political. It is deeply human.

However, God is not fooled; He warned through the prophet Samuel: “…for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b).

Transparency: When Hiding Becomes a Lifestyle

The lie detector is also a response to a culture of concealment. Candidates lie about their qualifications. They misrepresent their past. They disguise their true intentions behind polished speeches and noble-sounding promises. Transparency — the willingness to be known as one truly is — has become a rare and precious commodity in public life.

The Word of God calls us to something radically different. “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor…” (Ephesians 4:25a). The Apostle Paul understood that a community — whether a church or a nation — cannot be built on deception. When leaders conceal who they are, the people they serve pay the price.

Jesus himself was unmistakably clear on this matter: “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37). Our Lord was calling his followers to a life so thoroughly honest that elaborate verification systems would be entirely unnecessary. A person who walks in the light has nothing to hide and nothing to fear from scrutiny.

Morality: When Sin in High Places Becomes the Norm

Perhaps the most sobering dimension of this story is what it reveals about the moral landscape of leadership. President Randrianirina himself acknowledged the depth of the problem, saying he was not looking for someone “100% clean” but rather someone “more than 60% clean.” South China Morning Post
That a standard of 60% moral cleanliness is considered aspirational for government leaders tells us sadly how far things have fallen.

Immoral leaders are not a new problem. The Bible is remarkably honest about the damage they cause. “When the righteous increase, the people are glad, but when a wicked man rules, people groan.” (Proverbs 29:2). A nation groans under leaders who use power to serve themselves, whose hidden sins eventually surface as public scandals, whose corruption trickles down to impoverish the very people they were meant to serve.

The polygraph machine is, in essence, a cry of desperation — a society’s admission that it can no longer trust the moral professions of those seeking to govern it. When Micah 6:8 calls leaders to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God,” it is describing a character visible in conduct, love and justice in words and deeds; not a virtue detectable only by a machine.

A Challenge for Every Believer: Pass Your Own Test

Instead of pointing further on politicians and public figures’ shortcomings, God’s Word turns the mirror toward us.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be the living proof that integrity, transparency, and morality are not impossible ideals — they are the natural fruit of a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). Our testimony is not merely what we say in church on Sunday. It is the full, unedited story of our daily lives — how we handle money, how we speak when we think no one is listening, how we treat people who can do nothing for us.

The question worth asking ourselves is this: if a polygraph were placed before us today, would our public confessions match the private reality of our hearts?

The world is weary of leaders — and of people — who say one thing and live another. What the nation, any nation, needs is not simply better technology to unmask hypocrisy. It needs men and women whose lives are an open book, whose yes means yes, and whose godliness is not a performance but a genuine and daily walk with the living God.

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

May that be the testimony of every one of us who believe and have surrendered our life to Christ — not because we passed a test, but because we walk Coram Deo, in the presence of God.

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Help Them Walk Through the Valley

On February 5th, our dear friends lost their only son 11 days before his 11th birthday. Another friend’s 6-days old baby also died on January 29th. The death of a child ruptures the natural order of life in a way few other losses do. Parents expect to see their children grow, marry, and carry on after them—not to lay them in the ground. When this unthinkable tragedy strikes a family in our congregation, we must ask ourselves: How do we comfort grieving parents through this dark valley? How do we help them honor both their overwhelming sorrow and their calling to continue living?

The Tension Between Grief and Life

Scripture never asks us to choose between grieving and living—it calls us to both. The apostle Paul writes, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope…” (1 Thes 4:13). Notice carefully what Paul does not say. He does not say “do not grieve.” He acknowledges grief as the natural, God-given response to loss. Yet he qualifies it: we grieve with hope.

This is the distinctive Christian tension. We weep because death is an enemy, the wages of sin, an intruder into God’s good creation (1 Cor 15:26; Rom 6:23). Jesus himself wept at Lazarus’s tomb even knowing He would raise him minutes later (John 11:35). Our tears honor the weight of what has been lost. But we also rest in God’s sovereignty, trusting that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purposes…” (Rom 8:28). This does not mean the death was good—it means God will ultimately bring good even from this evil.

Parents who have lost a child must be given full permission to grieve deeply and for as long as necessary. There is no timeline for such sorrow. Job sat in ashes for seven days before speaking (Job 2:13). David fasted and wept while his child was dying, then rose to worship when the child died (2 Samuel 12:15-23)—not because his grief ended, but because he entrusted his child to God’s care. 

Grief is not overcome; it is carried. It becomes part of who we are.

Yet grief must not become an idol that prevents parents from fulfilling the callings God has placed upon their lives. They are still spouses to each other, still parents to other children, still members of the body of Christ, still image-bearers with purposes to fulfill. The question is not whether to continue living, but how to live while carrying this profound loss. The answer lies in dependence upon God’s grace, which is sufficient even here (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The Brutal Reality of the “Firsts”

Anyone who has walked through significant loss knows that grief comes in waves, and the largest waves often crash on special occasions. For parents who have lost a child, the “firsts” are especially excruciating. 

The first night returning to a home that feels emptier than it should. The first time setting the table with one fewer place. The first car ride in a vehicle that once held their child’s laughter. The first Sunday morning when they walk into church and see other families whole. The first birthday that will never be celebrated (As I publish this article, it is the birthday of one of their daughters… it will be one without him.) The first Christmas without their child’s voice… 

Each “first” is its own Gethsemane, a moment when parents must cry out as Christ did, “Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me” while also surrendering to “not my will, but yours be done” (Matthew 26:39). These moments require extraordinary grace.

Friends and the church family must be especially attentive during these times. Mark your calendars. Remember the child’s birthday, the date of death, and major holidays. Reach out proactively. Your message need not be eloquent; a simple “I’m thinking of you today and praying for you” can be a lifeline. Let them know they are not alone, that their child is not forgotten.

Do not be surprised if grief that seemed manageable suddenly overwhelms them during these firsts. “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Eccl. 3:4)—and sometimes the weeping returns when we least expect it. This is normal. This is healthy. Point them again to the God who “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

The Comforting Reality of God’s Sovereignty

God is sovereign even over events we cannot understand. “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). This is not cold fatalism but humble submission to a God whose wisdom infinitely exceeds our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). We may never know why in this life, but we trust the character of the One who knows.

We also rest in the doctrine of God’s providence—that he works all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11), and that nothing, not even death itself, can separate us from his love (Romans 8:38-39). 

These truths do not erase the pain, but they provide an anchor when the waves threaten to pull us under.

For parents who have lost a child, there is also the tender promise of reunion for those who die in Christ. David’s confidence that he would “go to him” though his child could not return to him (2 Sam 12:23) speaks to the biblical hope of eternal life. While we must be careful not to presume salvation for any individual apart from faith in Christ, we entrust our children to the God who is more merciful than we are, more loving than we are, and perfectly just in all his ways.

The goal is not to “get over” the loss or to “move on” as if their child never existed. The goal is to learn to live in a new reality, carrying the sorrow while also receiving the grace God provides for each day.“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34). And sufficient for each day is God’s grace to sustain.

The Church’s Sacred Responsibility

The church is a family bound together by the Holy Spirit. When one member suffers, we all suffer (1 Cor 12:26). The loss of a child is not just a private tragedy—it is a wound to the entire body.

In the immediate aftermath, the church’s presence must be tangible and practical. Provide meals. Handle logistics they cannot face. Sit with them in silence when words fail. “Weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15) is not a suggestion but a command. Your presence communicates what your words cannot: you are not abandoned.

Yet as the weeks turn to months, the church must resist two temptations. 

The first is to disappear once the initial crisis passes. Grief does not follow the world’s schedule. The second wave of sorrow, when everyone else has returned to normal life, can be even harder than the first. Continue reaching out. Continue showing up. Continue remembering.

The second temptation is to smother grieving parents with constant attention, never allowing them the space to breathe, to process, to simply exist in their pain without an audience. 

This is a delicate balance, requiring wisdom and discernment. Some days they need the body gathered around them; other days they need permission to withdraw and rest.

The key is to maintain consistent contact while respecting their rhythm. Check in regularly, but don’t demand immediate responses. Extend invitations without pressure to accept. Offer specific help rather than vague “let me know if you need anything.” Say, “I’m bringing dinner Tuesday—do you prefer chicken or beef?” rather than waiting for them to ask.

Create space in community life for their grief. Acknowledge the loss publicly when appropriate. Pray for them by name in corporate gatherings. Remember their child in ways that honor the parents’ wishes. Some want to speak their child’s name often; others find it too painful at first. Follow their lead.

The Indispensable Ministry of Prayer

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). If we believe this— we affirm the sovereignty of God in answer to prayer—then our intercession for grieving parents is not a nice gesture but a vital ministry.

Pray for them in your private devotions. Pray for supernatural peace that surpasses understanding to guard their hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). Pray that God would be near to their broken hearts (Psalm 34:18). Pray for their physical health, as grief exhausts the body. Pray for their marriage, as tragedy can either unite or divide. Pray for any surviving children who are navigating their own loss. Pray for their faith to endure this fierce testing (1 Peter 1:6-7).

But also pray with them when you have opportunity. Ask permission first—not everyone is ready to pray aloud in their raw state—but if they are willing, intercede together. There is profound comfort in hearing another believer cry out to God on your behalf. Let them hear you acknowledge their pain honestly before the throne of grace. Let them hear you cling to God’s promises when they cannot find words themselves. Let them hear you ask God for strength to face the next hour, the next day.

Do not offer false comfort or trite explanations in your prayers. God does not need you to defend his ways. The book of Job reminds us that sometimes the most faithful prayer is simply, “Why?” (Job 3:11). Lament is a biblical category of prayer. The Psalms give us language for crying out in anguish while still trusting God’s character (Psalm 13, 22, 88). Teach grieving parents that they can bring their raw, unfiltered sorrow to God—he can handle it.

As a church, we walk through the valley of the shadow of death alongside our brothers and sisters, knowing that even here, we need fear no evil, for our Shepherd is with us (Psalm 23:4). We provide love without smothering, space without abandoning, truth without triteness, and hope without minimizing pain.

To parents in the midst of this unimaginable loss: your grief honors the love you have for your child. Take all the time you need. Lean on the body of Christ. Cry out to God with everything in you. And when you cannot pray, let us pray for you and with you. The God who collects every tear in his bottle (Psalm 56:8) sees you, knows you, and will carry you through.

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The Fight of Faith…fulness

“Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” — 1 Timothy 6:12 (LSB)

A new year begins with its set of joys, hopes, victories, successes, trials, failures, disappointments, betrayal, grief, and pain. For the Christian, it’s a continuity of life under the sun: it is a fight, but a good fight.

The apostle Paul’s exhortation to Timothy rings as true today as it did in the first century. We are called to fight, not with carnal weapons or human strength, but with faith that anchors us to Christ and sustains us through every season. This is not a fight we wage once and finish, but a daily, lifelong battle that requires perseverance in four essential areas.

A Fight for Discipline (The Mind)

The Christian life begins in the mind, where the war between truth and deception, godliness and compromise, is first waged. Paul commands us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

Our minds must be brought into captivity to Christ. Every thought, every imagination, every intellectual pursuit must bow before the lordship of Jesus. This requires intentional discipline: saturating ourselves in Scripture, rejecting the worldly philosophies that bombard us daily, and training our minds to think God’s thoughts after Him.

The Puritan Thomas Watson wrote, “The reason why Christians are no more spiritual is because they do not exercise themselves more in meditation.”

We cannot grow in godliness without disciplining our minds to dwell on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable (Philippians 4:8).

Paul Washer recently shared about the reality of the fight for every believer, whether “famous” or unknown, and how discipline in the means of grace matters in that fight.
Mental discipline is not optional for the believer; it is the foundation upon which all other spiritual battles are fought.

A Fight for Holy Affections (The Heart)

While the mind must be renewed, the heart must be set aflame with love for God. Jesus declared the greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Our affections reveal what we truly worship, and the Christian must constantly war against misplaced loves.

The world, the flesh, and the devil conspire to turn our hearts toward temporal pleasures, earthly security, and self-centered ambitions. John reminds us, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

We must daily crucify our old desires and cultivate a burning passion for Christ that outshines every competing affection.

John Owen, the great Puritan theologian, understood this battle well: “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.” Our hearts are battlegrounds where holy affections must triumph over sinful desires. This requires constant vigilance, prayer, and a deepening intimacy with the One who is altogether lovely.

We must feed our souls on the beauty of Christ through His Word, worship, and communion with His people, so that our hearts increasingly find their satisfaction in Him alone.

A Fight for Fruitfulness (Good Works)

Faith without works is dead, James reminds us (James 2:26). The genuine believer is not merely called to mental assent or emotional experience, but to a life marked by the fruit of the Spirit and good works prepared beforehand by God (Ephesians 2:10). Paul exhorts, “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1).

Fruitfulness requires effort. We must abide in Christ, the true vine, allowing His life to flow through us and produce lasting fruit (John 15:5). This means actively pursuing righteousness, serving others sacrificially, sharing the gospel boldly, and allowing God to shape our character into the image of His Son. It means fighting against spiritual barrenness, laziness, and the comfortable Christianity that produces nothing of eternal value.

“Use every talent God has given you, and God will give you more talents.” Richard Baxter

Every day is an opportunity to bear fruit for God’s kingdom. Whether in our families, workplaces, churches, or communities, we must fight against complacency and actively pursue lives that glorify God and bless others. The world is watching, and our fruitfulness either adorns the gospel or discredits it.

A Fight for Faithfulness

Above all else, God calls us to faithfulness. When all is said and done, when our earthly race is complete, the commendation we long to hear is not “Well done, successful servant,” but “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

Faithfulness is demonstrated not in spectacular achievements but in consistent obedience over time. It’s showing up day after day to pray, to read God’s Word, to resist temptation, to love difficult people, to steward our resources wisely, and to trust God when circumstances make no sense. Paul reminds us, “It is required of stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

The fight for faithfulness is perhaps the most challenging because it demands perseverance without the promise of earthly reward. We may not see dramatic results. We may labor in obscurity. We may face setbacks, criticism, and seasons of apparent failure. But God is not looking for perfection or impressive résumés; He is looking for those who remain faithful to the end.

Thomas Brooks encouraged believers with these words:

“Faithfulness in little things will prepare you for faithfulness in great things.”

God tests our faithfulness in the small, hidden moments before entrusting us with greater responsibility. He looks for those who will remain true when no one is watching, who will obey when obedience is costly, and who will trust Him when understanding fails.

As we journey through 2026, let us embrace Paul’s charge to Timothy as our own. The good fight of faith is not fought once but daily, in our minds, hearts, and actions. It requires discipline, holy affections, fruitfulness, and above all, faithfulness to the One who has called us.

If the Lord tarries and doesn’t return in 2026, may He find us faithful throughout this year. May we fight well, not in our own strength but in the power of His grace. May our lives reflect the reality that we have taken hold of eternal life and that we are living in light of the good confession we have made before many witnesses.

The fight is good because our Commander is glorious, our cause is worthy, and our victory is certain. “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Press on, soldiers of the cross. Fight the good fight. Remain faithful.

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Grief, Grace & God’s Timing

by Joy Emmanuelle Ravoahangy

We’re blessed to have another post from Joy Emmanuelle as she reflects on her year 2025 and how God has helped her deal with grief and disappointment, helping her trust in God’s perfect sovereignty. We pray this will also bring comfort to you if you are dealing with sorrows currently. May the Lord bring you healing and hope for 2026.

There are moments in life when you don’t realize how heavy your heart has become until you take a small moment to stop and breathe. Moments when you keep moving, keep smiling, and keep going even though inside, something feels broken. This year was one of those seasons for me. It carried both deep disappointment and deep grief, a pain that revealed itself quietly in my heart.

There were moments that shook me, moments that felt deeply unfair, and moments that left me questioning why things had to happen the way they did. I learned very quickly that no matter how strong I try to be, no matter how much I convince myself that I can handle everything on my own, I am still human. I feel loss. I feel heartbreak. I feel disappointment, and sometimes all of it at once.

Yet through every tear, every unanswered question, and every attempt to mask my pain, I began to see something greater unfolding. I discovered that even when my heart felt too heavy to carry, God was already carrying it for me. His timing did not rush, His comfort did not fail, and His grace met me right where I was. And through it all, I learned that no matter how deep the pain runs, God’s timing, His comfort, and His grace are always greater.

In March, I received news that had felt like it would shape the whole year. I was accepted into an Oxford summer camp, and not only that, I was offered a scholarship. I couldn’t believe it. I thought all the hard work, late nights, expectations, and dreams had finally aligned. I was elated and excited.

But then reality hit. Even with the scholarship, the program was still too expensive. Between the visa, the plane ticket, and expenses once I got there, it just wasn’t possible. I had to make a choice, even though it gutted me, and I wrote a letter of refusal.

I remember sitting in my room with my computer on my lap, writing words I didn’t want to write. I felt hollow. I felt confused. I felt disappointment deeper than I had expected. I kept myself busy after that either by working, studying, or doing anything to distract myself from the hurt. It was easier than facing the emptiness the refusal left inside me.

I measured my worth by achievements. And suddenly I felt like I had failed. But God had something unexpected waiting for me.

  Not long ago, my mom walked into my room saying I received a letter. From the UK. From Oxford. It said they were offering me a spot in their program again, this time for 2026, and it came with options to choose a course.         

At first, I didn’t let myself hope. I had already prepared my heart for disappointment. But something in me still yearned for the answer I’ve wanted since the start of the year. So when I spoke to my dad, I was almost certain the answer would be no for the same reasons as before: the costs, the logistics, the reality of everything. So I hardened my heart in advance, convincing myself that it was safer not to expect anything at all. I told myself I had already made peace with letting it go.

But then we talked. And talked. And I silently prayed to myself through it all. We considered everything carefully, financially and spiritually. And when my dad finally said yes, it felt like something inside me cracked open. All the emotions I had been holding back rushed in at once. I cried. I cried not just because I was happy, but because I realized how much pain I had been carrying quietly. I cried because God had seen the disappointment I tried to ignore. I cried because after preparing myself for another “no,” God surprised me with a “yes.” And in that moment, I understood that this opportunity wasn’t coming because I had earned it, but it was coming because God had chosen the timing Himself.

I cried, not because I finally got what I wanted, but because I saw God’s goodness in a way I hadn’t before. I realized that He sees the pain we try to bury, the disappointments we silence, and the hopes we’re afraid to hold onto again. He hadn’t forgotten me, even in the moments when I thought I had to move on alone.

At that moment, a verse came to mind: “When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen” (Isaiah 60:22). And I understood that this wasn’t just about Oxford or an opportunity; it was about trusting in Him. It was about learning that God’s plans unfold in His timing, not ours, and that even the “no’s” we don’t understand are often preparing us for something greater.

But disappointment wasn’t the only thing that tested my faith this year. I also faced a pain I wasn’t prepared for. I experienced grief that was sudden and deeply personal.

I lost my dog without warning, and it hurt more deeply than I ever imagined it could. I still remember the emptiness that settled in my chest the moment I heard the news from my mom, right after I finished my violin exam. One moment, I was relieved and proud that the exam had gone well; the next, my world felt like it had collapsed. The shock of how suddenly it happened left me unable to breathe without pain, and I couldn’t stop crying. But even in the middle of that heartbreak, the day didn’t pause for my grief. I still had to sit down at the piano and continue my exam. My hands trembled, tears falling as I played, but somehow the music carried everything I couldn’t say. I played through the pain, through the loss, and through the love I still held for my dog, and in that moment, my grief became something everyone in the room could feel.

The drive home felt unbearably long. Sorrow filled the car, heavy and silent, and none of us spoke. When we finally arrived and I saw his body lying on the porch, something inside me completely broke. The reality of losing him was no longer distant, for it was right in front of me. I fell apart even more when I had to kneel down and remove his collar, my hands shaking as I touched his lifeless body for the last time. The collar that once hung around his neck now felt unbearably heavy in my hands. I couldn’t bring myself to look for long; I had to turn my head away from the brutality of how he died. In that moment, the grief became overwhelming, and all I could feel was the unbearable loss of someone who had been part of my life and my heart. 

After that day, every time I saw his bowl untouched and his favorite spots in the house empty, it made my heart feel heavy every time I saw them. And watching my other dogs carry the ache too made my heart just break all over again.

At first, I was angry. I was bitter, and I cried so much. Just staying in my room hurt because I knew I’d see the things that reminded me of him. His collar sits on my shelf beside my bed, and sometimes that’s a comfort, and sometimes it’s another reminder of how much I miss him.

For a while, I wasn’t okay. I became withdrawn. I questioned everything. I didn’t want to smile, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened.

But one day during my devotions, I read Psalm 86, and especially verses 5–8 shifted inside me. As I read the words slowly, they felt personal, as if they were written for that exact moment in my grief.

Each line struck my heart like a quiet whisper from God saying,

“I know. I see you, and I’m with you.”

After days of carrying pain that felt too heavy to explain, I finally felt understood. The tears came again, but this time they were different. They weren’t only tears of sorrow, but of release, and of knowing that even in my brokenness, I wasn’t alone, and that God was present with me in my grief.

That same evening, we read Romans 12, and the verse that hit me most was verse 19: “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord; I will repay.” I realized then that my anger didn’t have to stay inside me. God was bigger than my hurt. God was near me in my pain. God wasn’t distant; He was right there beside me.

Yes, we can grieve. We can be human. We can feel hurt. But those feelings don’t have to stay in control. Because even in grief, God is in control. Even in disappointment, He is shaping what comes next. Even when our hearts feel broken, He heals us with grace, in His timing.

Maybe whoever’s reading this has faced something similar, either if it’s a dream that felt just within reach, only to slip away. Maybe you lost something or someone you love. Maybe you wonder if God still sees you, if He still cares, if He still listens.

Here’s what I want you to know:

1. God sees your pain. He sees the tears you hide. He hears the prayers you whisper at night.  He understands what you’re carrying, even the feelings you don’t have words for.

2. Your worth is not measured by what you achieve or what you lose. God loves you because you are His, not because of what you accomplish.

3. His timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t make sense. Sometimes He says no, not out of absence or indifference, but because He has something better in store.

And one scripture that brings me peace and might help you too is: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28)

So even when it hurts, even when it feels unfair, God is working. Grief and disappointment are real, and they hurt. But they are not the end of your story. God is writing your story with grace and purpose. He sees your tears. He hears your heart. He walks with you through every painful moment, and He brings you into new joy again.

So if you’re hurting know this: God hasn’t forgotten you. He is with you. And His timing is always perfect.

Emmanuelle Ravoahangy is a 15-year old writer who loves music, writing, and reading. Here are her contacts if you care to ask her questions or discuss her perspective as a third-culture Christian teenager in Madagascar, in this day and age.

Email: eravoahangy@gmail.com / Instagram: @em.rav_

[Pictures generated with AI]

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Semper Reformanda in Brazil

By God’s amazing grace, I have visited my 65th country with a trip to San Jose Dos Campos to attend an intensive training on Publishing organized by Desiring God.

Rather than only sharing my impressions from my time in this beautiful nation, I would rather give you my main take-aways from the training, and from my time at Editoria Fiel with the other publishing ministries from around the world that were represented.  

2 missionaries, Jim and Aletha Denham, left California 60 years ago on a boat to go to China. After a few years there, with the advent of communist government in 1949, they had to leave and move to the jungles of Brazil. 

Then, health issues with malaria forced them to move to the city of Manaus where their son Richard and his wife Pearl joined them. In a divine encounter, they met Bill Barkley, “Banner of Truth Magazine” and started a Christian publishing ministry and a bookstore. 

The Denhams moved to the city of São José dos Campos in the 1980’s, where they founded Grace Baptist Church alongside two other families. Seeing the need for well-trained church leadership, Rich started the annual Fiel Conference for pastors and leaders which today attracts over 2,000 people each year.  In 2004, Rick and his wife Kimberlie moved to Brazil and took over the FIEL ministry.

Today, Thiago Santos heads a multi-branch ministry that thrives and serves the church in the Portuguese-speaking world. 

This abridged three-generation story provides us with a recipe for faithfulness and fruitfulness for a publishing ecosystem:

1-  Sovereign Bearing

The hand of God has been all over the Denham family. We can see God leading them, protecting them, directing them where He wanted them to be. The same hand directed the ministry as it developed and brought along all those who contributed to it.

The same sovereign God reigns over every minute and molecule today and forever.  The same sovereign God has decreed both the successes and failures of our ministry endeavors, all for His glory and our eternal good. 

2-  Small Beginnings

When Jim and Aletha arrived in Brazil, they didn’t receive the warmest of welcomes. They were not allowed to live in the Catholic houses available in the village. They had to ask military guards of 20 people to protect them as people tried to kill them. Joined by their children, Richard and Pearl, they moved to the city of Manaus as Pearl almost died several times of malaria.

Richard started a Christian Publisher with a bookstore called “The Bookstore of the Christian Home” where he sold booklets and paintings. He then acquired a print shop and a bus which he fitted with a glass window to project movies. The Denham family then moved to Sao Paulo, as it was the heart of the country. They wanted to be close to schools and universities where ideas spread. 

FIEL became a ministry of spreading ideas through conferences, media and books.  

The same sovereign God wants us to be faithful with little, trusting and depending on Him to take care of the breadth of our ministry to Him. 

3-  Sustained Blessing

The humble beginnings saw unremitting blessings and a strengthening presence of the hand of God in the ministry of Fiel. They were able to complete the building they are still using today in 2010. And the ministry is thriving through:

  • Excellence and dedication of the team, at every level 
  • Wise and tight financial stewardship, enabling them to be fully self-sustained
  • Reaching out to both churches and individuals in need of Christian resources
  • The prayers of many for God’s continued providence

That same sovereign God wants to bless those who are faithful. The fountains of God’s blessings will never run dry. His grace will always outgive us, if we stay faithful. 

4-  Steady Bereanism

The Scripture-centeredness of the ministry of FIEL is a rebuke and an encouragement to all believers. Despite the prevalence in Brazil of the Catholic Church and the prosperity movement, Editoria Fiel remains faithful to Sol Scriptura, uncompromising on truth, engaging theological differences with an irenic tone and respect, and thus being more known for what they are for rather than what they are against. 

The ministry also includes the Martin Buser Theological Seminary, where minds are renewed through the teaching of the Word, and hearts are bent towards affection for Christ through the applying of the Word to every circumstance of life. 

The same sovereign God commands us to be Ezras for our days, to set our hearts to study the law of Yahweh and to practice it, and then to teach His statutes and judgments (Ezra 7:10).

5-  Stewarded Broadcasting 

During our meeting this week, Pastor Yazan from Jordan gave the charge from 2 Tim 4:1-8 that publishing is not about producing written content but to proclaim divine truth. He called us to be faithful even if it costs us financially or causes some people to reject us and/or our ministry. Some titles may not sell as well as the others, but our target must be faithfulness to God and His Gospel. 

“People want what comforts them, not what changes them…they want comfort without cost!… Don’t be tempted to polish the books to please the crowds and boost the sales… The proclamation of truth is about Declaration not Decoration!”

Pastor Yazan Milkonian

The same sovereign God calls us today to proclaim divine truths, to spread as far and wide the name of Christ and His precepts, that He would be glorified unto the ends of the earth.

I am enthralled and grateful to see how God continues to advance His kingdom using the hutzpah and hardiness of those brothers and sisters involved in Publishing. 

At 3M Publishing, we pray to remain faithful to the charge and continue to spread biblical ideas to the glory of God. 

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A Cry For Truth and Dignity as A Nation in the Dark

By Joy Emmanuelle Ravoahangy

My name is Joy Emmanuelle Ravoahangy, and I am Malagasy. I am not poor, in fact I am far more privileged than many of my brothers and sisters in this country. But privilege does not blind me. On the contrary, it compels me to see and to speak. I speak up because I have the ability to, and because all my life I have witnessed the poverty and the struggles the average Malagasy person has had to endure.

On September 25, 2025, Madagascar cried out. What the world has called Le Jeudi Noir, Black Thursday, was not just another day of unrest. It was a moment when a nation, long silenced by resignation and weariness, chose to stand. Across cities and villages, from Antananarivo to the coasts, people poured into the streets. They were not only protesting water shortages or blackouts. They were declaring: we will no longer accept being stripped of our dignity.

What happened on that Thursday was not born out of destruction, it was born out of years of neglect. Out of lives lived in darkness, literally and figuratively. Out of promises made by those in power that were broken again and again.

As a Christian, I cannot separate what I witnessed from what Scripture teaches. Psalm 11 asks: “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” This is the question that echoes through Madagascar today. Our foundations, justice, honesty, the right to live with dignity, feel shattered. And yet, the psalm does not leave us in despair. It reminds us that the Lord is righteous, that He loves justice, and that the upright will see His face.

But as the protests grew, so did the chaos. In the clashes between police and protesters, innocent people were shot, some left unalive, and fear turned the streets into something unrecognizable. And in that chaos, desperation took its chance. Shops were raided, fires blazed through the night, windows were shattered, and goods were carried away in arms that have known only lack.

I do not write this to glorify destruction, nor to excuse it. But I also refuse to reduce my people to the image of violent men creeping through the dark. Those who broke into stores that night were not monsters. They were Malagasy, shaped by poverty so deep it corrodes the mind. When given an unexpected opportunity to grasp what they have been denied their whole lives, many took it, not out of greed, but out of hunger, out of exhaustion, out of hopelessness.

And there are whispers, rumors spreading like smoke, that some of these raids were not spontaneous at all. That people were paid to do it, paid as little as 15,000 ariary, which is barely more than three US dollars. If that is true, then what does it say about us as a nation? That the government, or those aligned with it, could turn the suffering of its own people into a weapon against them? That desperation itself could be bought and sold, and once again the poor were controlled, and not freed?

These were not dangerous criminals in the truest sense. They were a struggling group, pushed into the margins, manipulated in the shadows, and then paraded before the world as proof that Malagasy voices are violent and chaotic. But I know, and now you know, that this is not the truth.

It was not simply chaos, it was a call to remember who we are. A people created in the image of God. A people with the right to live, to hope, to flourish. A people who will not remain silent while our foundations crumble.

I write this not as a distant observer, but as a citizen of Madagascar. I feel the weight of frustration, the yearning for change, the cry for something better. And I believe my people are called, not to despair, but to courage. To stand firm in truth. To demand justice with boldness and to rebuild with faith. Black Thursday must not fade into history as just another protest. It must be remembered as the day when Malagasy voices joined together to say: enough. Not in hatred, but in hope. Not in bitterness, but in resolve. So I ask you to pray with us, and to call on God to bring justice, to heal our land, and to lift up the weary. For it is written, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14). Together, let us place our hope in Him, trusting that He will avenge and restore. Because our story is not finished, and our God has not abandoned us.

Emmanuelle Ravoahangy is a 15-year old writer who loves music, writing, and reading. Here are her contacts if you care to ask her questions or discuss her perspective as a third-culture Christian teenager in Madagascar, in this day and age.

Email: eravoahangy@gmail.com / Instagram: @em.rav_

[pictures borrowed from social media]

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The Aftermath of the Sept 25th, 2025 in Madagascar: A Revelation of Deep Poverty

The recent events in Madagascar have laid bare the grim realities of social, societal, systemic, and spiritual poverty within the nation. As communities grapple with the aftermath of violence and unrest, the events illuminate a troubling landscape that is both heartbreaking and revealing of deeper issues affecting the people. 

✔️ Social Poverty: Exploiting Desperation

The incidents of looting that followed the organized peaceful protests for lack of access to water and electricity serve as a stark indicator of social poverty. Many believe there were individuals—perhaps even orchestrated groups—prepared to exploit the chaos for their own gain. However, the desperate nature of many individuals cannot be ignored. People, seeking to survive in a system that has largely failed them, took advantage of the turmoil to seize what little they could. Early morning reports indicate that looting continue today, a testament to the pervasive desperation gripping many communities.

🖐🏽 This behavior, while condemnable, reveals a larger narrative: a population struggling under the weight of poverty. Desperation often breeds irrational actions that, in the short term, may seem to alleviate an immediate need but ultimately threaten long-term stability. Such actions do not occur in isolation; they are the byproduct of years of systemic neglect and poverty that have left many feeling hopeless and powerless.

✔️ Societal Poverty: Small Businesses at Risk

The societal implications of this turmoil are equally disturbing. Small business owners—those who labor day in and day out to build their enterprises—have found their hard work reduced to ashes or ruins. Stores that once served as community pillars now lie in tatters, victims of senseless vandalism. The immediate concern for these entrepreneurs extends beyond material loss; it includes the devastating realization that many of them may never recover.

The loss of these small businesses leads to a broader economic malaise for the community. With livelihoods vanishing and jobs dissipating, Madagascar risks losing its credibility (no investor nor tourist would want to set foot or spend a penny in Madagascar) on the international stage, which could further deepen the cycle of poverty. The actions taken by looters appear not only as acts of theft but as a profound reflection of a society failing to consider the consequences of such impulsiveness. 

🖐🏽 This lack of consideration for one’s fellow man underscores a troubling trend: individuals motivated only by self-interest overlook the collective harm inflicted on their community. In moments of crisis, solidarity can either build or break a society. The ongoing unrest points to a dire need for reconnection among community members—a return to values that prioritize communal well-being over personal gain.

✔️ Systemic Poverty: A Broken System

Perhaps the most disheartening aspect of these events is the glaring evidence of systemic poverty reflected in the response of law enforcement. Initial reports indicate that the police were quick to repress peaceful protests yet failed to contain the looting. This juxtaposition raises serious questions about priorities within the system itself.

The apparent inability—or unwillingness—of the police to protect law-abiding citizens while responding forcefully to protestors reveals shortcomings within Madagascar’s political and justice systems. These failures are symptomatic of a broken system, one that breeds a culture of impunity and neglect. When those responsible for maintaining order and justice seemingly abandon their duties, it signals a larger societal breakdown. 

🖐🏽 Such systemic failures perpetuate cycles of poverty, leaving marginalized populations without recourse or protection. In this clarity of dysfunction, a solution must be sought—not merely through superficial measures but through genuine systemic reform that addresses the root causes of poverty.

✔️ Spiritual Poverty: The Need for Wisdom

At the heart of these issues lies a deeper concern: spiritual poverty. The actions of looters, those instigating chaos, and the indifferent responses of authorities reflect a troubling absence of wisdom and compassion (Prov 9:10; Mat 22:37-39). When the fear of God and love for one’s neighbor are disregarded, society suffers. 

🖐🏽 In moments such as these, it becomes imperative for the Church and believers to manifest a different narrative. The call to be “salt and light” is essential, offering hope, resilience, and a blueprint for unity amid chaos. 

It is an opportunity for those who follow the teachings of Christ to lead by example, embodying the values of compassion and community that are desperately needed.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

🚨 The aftermath of the recent events in Madagascar must serve as a clarion call for reflection and action. It exposes layers of social, societal, systemic, and spiritual poverty, urging proactive steps toward healing and restoration. As the nation grapples with these issues, it is crucial that all stakeholders—government, communities, and individuals—work collaboratively to address these underlying conditions, fostering a society where hope can thrive instead of despair. Christians in each of those spheres must step up and live out their difference. 

In doing so, Madagascar might yet rise from the ashes of its trials, rebuilding not just its economy but its very spirit as a nation.

And so we pray. And we would like to invite you to pray with us. 

🖐🏽In the face of the current situation, we Christians have a responsibility to pray for our country and for one another.

👉Let this Word of God guide us in this, Romans 12:12-17

” Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”

👉Here are the prayer requests we can share:

🙏🏽 For all political leaders and those in authority, may God give them wisdom (1 Tim 2:1-2)

🙏🏽 For the protests that the people are planning to do, may God give them wisdom on when to speak and when to keep be quiet (Eccl 3:7-8). May these protests continue to be peaceful. 

🙏🏽 For God’s protection for those who carry out peaceful protests (Ps 91:1)

🙏🏽 For the public demonstrations that the political opposition parties are planning, that God would prevent further unrest (Rom 13:1-2)

🙏🏽 For businesses and individuals who have lost their assets (Rom 12:13-15)

🙏🏽 For those who lost family members or friends (Rom 12:15)

🙏🏽 For those who have lost their livelihoods or their jobs (Rom 12:13-15)

🙏🏽 For the ability to return to school for children and students (Rom 12:12)

🙏🏽 For the police, military forces, firefighters and health workers (1 Tim 2:2)

🙏🏽 For Peace in all the major cities of Madagascar

🙏🏽 For the witness of Christians (Matt 5:13-16)

🙏🏽 For the spread of the Gospel and the salvation of the souls of those who do not yet have Christ (Col 3:2-4)

🙏🏽 For the application of 1 John 3:18 by all Christians:

❌ Do not buy any stolen goods from looters

❌ Do not incite violence with your words online or your actions

✅ Encourage those around you who you know have stolen to return the goods they took

✅ Help clean up and repair damaged buildings

✅ Buy from the most affected businesses if they still have anything for sale

✅ Pray for the owners or businesses and employees who have lost their jobs due to the unrest 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

🖐🏽How can we pray for these things:

👉Share these prayer requests among our churches, associations, and each of our families, share it in all WhatsApp or Messenger groups we are part of.

👉Agree on a time each day to pray together.

👉Each person can take a time that suits him/her to pray individually and thus to establish a prayer chain.

🖐🏽If any of us are also convinced to fast (Matt 6:16-18), I encourage you to do so.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Fasting reminds us that we do not live by bread alone but by “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4)… Therefore, when we fast, it’s not about skipping a meal, but rather it is about being fed by the word of God and focusing completely on God.

May the Lord have mercy on our nation. 🙏🏽

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Christ Magnified…by Life or Death

Recent events in our society have left us grappling with profound moral questions. The stabbings of individuals like Iryna Zartuska, the hostility towards Charlie Kirk following his tragic death, and the callousness reflected in memes celebrating violence all signal a deep fracture in our social fabric. These incidents urge us to examine our collective conscience and the implications for the Christian faith in the face of such moral decay.

Apathy in the Face of Violence

The act of standing by while someone suffers—like when Iryna Zartuska was stabbed—reveals a troubling trend of desensitization and neglect. From a Christian perspective, this apathy contradicts the Gospel imperative to love our neighbors and to act justly (Micah 6:8). Speaking against injustice and defending the vulnerable are not mere suggestions; they are fundamental tenets of our faith. Scripture calls us to embody Christ’s love actively, and in moments of crisis, failing to intervene signifies a spiritual lethargy that undermines our witness.

The Celebration of Death

Similarly, the reaction to Charlie Kirk, who was met with derision and celebrations of his death for holding differing political and religious views, speaks volumes about our societal sickness. Christians believe in the sanctity of life, echoing the sentiment that every individual is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The juxtaposition of celebratory responses to Kirk’s death against a backdrop of personal beliefs showcases the division and moral blindness that prevail in contemporary discourse. To liken him to a Nazi, dismissing his value based on ideology, elevates hatred over compassion, reflecting a chilling departure from Christ-like love.

The Disturbing Normalization of Violence

The emergence of memes that trivialize gun violence dilutes the gravity of life and death. Humor rooted in tragedy not only desensitizes audiences but also normalizes a culture of violence. In Ephesians 4:29, we are called to let no corrupting talk come out of our mouths; rather, we should speak words that edify and uplift. The rise of such memes speaks to a society increasingly disconnected from the serious implications of its words and actions, indicating a spiritual malaise that Christians are called to address.

Finding Hope Amidst Despair

Yet, amidst these dark reflections, we, as Christians, find encouragement in the teachings of Scripture and the resilience of our faith. In Philippians 1, the apostle Paul, despite facing imprisonment and persecution, exemplified how adversity can indeed advance the Gospel (Philippians 1:12). His unwavering commitment reminds us that when evil seems to reign, God remains sovereign, and His purposes will not be thwarted.

1.⁠ ⁠Encouraging Intercession: These events may drive Christians towards deeper petition, fostering an active prayer life for one another (Phil 1:3-4). In a time when society feels chaotic, prayer becomes a vital lifeline, uniting us in faith and hope.

2.⁠ ⁠Rallying for the Gospel: In troubled times, believers can come together in common purpose—spreading the message of the Gospel (Phil 1:5). Persecution and hardship can galvanize us to reflect our faith more authentically and be heralds of truth in a fractured world.

3.⁠ ⁠Preparing for Eternity: Contemplating the fragility of life as seen in these tragedies can prompt Christians to evaluate their readiness to meet God (Phil 1:6-11). Each day is a gift, and with it comes the opportunity to share our faith with urgency (Eph 5:16).

4.⁠ ⁠Boldness Against Wickedness: The current climate can inspire believers to be bolder in their witness and stand against moral decay (Philippians 1:14, 18, 20). Our response should be rooted in love but assertive in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel.

5.⁠ Bolstered by Martyrdom: Tragically, the finality of Kirk’s death serves as his last, somber “debate platform,” reflecting Philippians 1:21, where living is Christ and dying is gain. His testimony challenges us to consider how we live and die for the Gospel.

6.⁠ ⁠Revealing Society’s Evil: These events compel us to confront the evil that permeates our culture; the piling judgment reflects a deep need for repentance and revival (Philippians 1:28). We are called to expose darkness and champion light.

7.⁠ ⁠Sifting Genuine Faith: Ultimately, these crises serve to differentiate between true followers of Christ and those who merely wear the label. The call to suffer for Christ is a gift of grace, and it beckons genuine believers to step forward in faith (Philippians 1:29-30).

Let’s Keep Shining

In a society grappling with moral relativism, Christians are called to rise above the fray—embodying love, promoting justice, and speaking truth. Unwavering hope in God’s plan should illuminate our path, urging us to pray, act, and share the profound truth of the Gospel. While the landscape may seem bleak, we must remember that the light of Christ shines brightest amidst darkness, and His truth cannot be hindered.

May we, as part of His body, respond with grace, compassion, and boldness in these challenging times.

[Pictures borrowed from online platforms]

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Sin: Spiritual Poison

“How are you Fitahiana?” He moved his hand to signify that he is so-so. As we communicated through questions from me and hand movements from him, he explained to me that he is tired, emotionally exhausted, in pain, that he has had enough, that he wonders when this would end, and he would finally be fine again. I tried to encourage him from Scripture as much as I could. I cried with him and tried to make him smile…  

It was one of the most difficult weeks I have ever been through with the passing of Pst John MacArthur, the passing of Saidi Francis Chishimba, a Zambian brother I got to know through Christian Publishing, the passing of Nombana and Antsa, taking the number of people dying through the food poisoning incident of June 14th to 31. 😭

The death of people aged 17 to 86 years old is a vivid reminder that life is but a vapor, and one day we will all stand before God to give an account (Heb 9:27). 

However, can we even imagine how the past month has been for Fitahiana? 😭😭

He has been on this hospital bed for over a month now, almost completely paralyzed. Since June 15th, he has had to process the death of his sister, and the one-by-one death of the 4 other people that shared the room with him, including his cousin, Kasaina. He heard the doctors trying to resuscitate them to no avail. He heard the cries of the family members who lost loved ones. He doesn’t know anything of all the judicial and political circus going on outside, but what he knows is that he is still there on that bed, alone in that room. And what we know is that no antidote nor curative medicine is given to him yet. He is getting better, but so did Nombana before dying. 

In an age dominated by rapid information flow, people find it challenging to stay engaged with prolonged crises. The allure of new trends and the constant bombardment of notifications lead to waning interest; once the initial shock wears off, individuals quickly move on to the next headline. Social media and news outlets thrive on rapid-fire updates, encouraging a culture where everyone urges to “move on.” Events that once captivated public interest swiftly lose their urgency, replaced by the next trending topic, meme, or viral sensation. The continuous influx of events creates a desensitization effect, where societal empathy becomes diluted. Each tragedy, each emergency competes for attention, making it easy to forget the past crises that once gripped public consciousness.

In our increasingly self-centered society, many find it hard to prioritize collective problems over personal interests. The relentless hustle for personal success often sidelines the struggles of others, leading to a culture where empathy towards collective emergencies dwindles. This is exacerbated by those who benefit from others’ predicaments. Profiting from chaos and misfortune, these individuals, be it in business or politics, resist resolving the issues, as their interests are intertwined with the persistence of such crises.

Attempting to maintain a state of emergency is inherently exhausting. The emotional toll of constant alertness and vigilance is unsustainable, leaving individuals burned out and seeking solace in ignoring the ongoing issues.

I would thus want to make an appeal for Fitahiana and the 8 others that are still fighting for their life at this hospital: let’s not move on from this. Please continue to pray for them. Please continue to pray for the families who lost a loved one.  

But at a more critical level, this exhausting situation mirrors a deeper, spiritual emergency. The Bible speaks of a different kind of poisoning: sin. Rather than pursuing repentance and liberation, many tend to play with sin, allowing it to persist. John Owen poignantly stated, “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.” This quote highlights the urgency of addressing our moral failures instead of letting them fester. 

As Christians, we are called not only to recognize this spiritual emergency but to act upon it. The scripture reminds us in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” This calls for a collective turning back to God, repenting for our sins. 

Let us remain alert, understanding that while societal emergencies may fade, the need for spiritual awakening and search and rescue missions for dying souls is ever-present. Each moment is an opportunity for Christians to share the gospel, extend mercy, and act as beacons of hope in a world distracted by fleeting crises, ensuring that we never lose sight of the ultimate state of emergency that affects every soul.