SCRIPTURE PROMPT
Promises and Purpose: The Path to Peace
God is at work in the most challenging contexts
I often drive through my neighborhood to pray for the Muslim locals. I will pass many mosques on the way. These drives often coincide with the Muslim prayer times — sometimes by choice, often by accident. I think the Holy Spirit wants me to be praying at these times.
These prayer times are even more poignant during the month of Ramadan, which is now.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of men in my neighborhood form rows that sometimes spill out onto the steps leading to the prayer hall and into the carpark. Together, they stand with their hands by their head, then they kneel, and then they bow so their head touches the ground. They all face Mecca. They all chant, “There is no god but Allah and Mohammad is the messenger of Allah.”
Sometimes, these moments give rise to a sense of panic. Currently, there are only four Christians I know of living in this community, one of whom is me. How can we make an impact for the gospel when Islam is such an ingrained part of their lives? Am I doing enough? What if I fail?
“O God!” I cry out, “I am too weak to do this.”
Then, I am reassured:
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10, NIV)
I can still my feelings. God is sovereign. He can do this. He promises to make his name exalted. He is God and his purposes prevail.
I just need to be still and trust in him. I can enjoy peace knowing that God is in control. I know that he will be exalted among the nations, including the one where I live and serve.
Justin Marsh is a missionary who has served in Asia for over six years. He is the country leader of a team of missionaries and has just completed an MA that looks at missional practice. Whilst his team works within a range of contexts across the country, Justin’s focus is the Muslim minority groups. He is the owner of the publication THE CO-MISSION.
