Scripture encourages us to be strong in our faith and not weak-kneed when it comes to standing in the face of persecution and/or possible harm. While many just causes need attention to further their work, it seems only the perverse use terror to get what they want. Terrorism is not God's work regardless of the religious label the wicked wear nor the just outcome they seek. And what is not God's work can only be the work of the devil.

Terrorism is not new, but the insatiable thirst of news agencies and journalists seem to have given it new life. Thousands of reporters located in hot spots around the world, are waiting and watching for the next attention-getting event to break. Their immediate coverage and often instantaneous television broadcasting from the field, no doubt inspires fanatics to be more demonstrable with each successive act they perpetrate.

In the early days of the church, it was no different except for the absence of media coverage. Terrorists have always found that a threat may do what negotiation cannot. It's scary to think that our national journalistic fervor has trained terrorists to do things violent enough to get and keep attention.

The wicked and evil men who watched what the young church was doing, picked up Paul's work, the persecution of Christians. It's ironic that Paul's final words to those in this popular city was to stand strong in the face of terrorists, many of whom may have viewed Saul of Tarsus as a model.

Just this morning, a prayer need was posted in the Cyber Room asking Christians to lift up brothers and sisters being terrorized in Haiti, a small and seemingly insignificant part of the world. One would have never thought the extremists in this little country would resort to beheading missionaries and social workers. In fact, were it not for the worldwide attention given the terrorists in Iraq, they probably would not be doing what they are doing.

Yes - sometimes bad things happen to good people while rewards and recognition are given to violent extremists. It's interesting that the work of the godly goes unnoticed until evil raises its head to persecute it. It seems the worse the persecution, the more value is seen in the work of the silent faithful who serve God behind the scenes. As we pray, may we remember as Paul reminds us, to ask God to strengthen his people around the world who face persecution, while protecting them from the devil who is actually doing the persecuting through those who need God. (Cp: 2Th 3:2-3)

With all the attention terrorists get, it's amazing how their actions reveal the wickedness of their cause and at the same time the godliness of those they persecute. May our brothers and sisters prevail and continue to show God's love to those who most of us regard as unreachable.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Jr. 26:1-27:22 2 Th. 3:1-18 Ps. 85:1-13 Pr. 25:16 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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