The longed for and prayed for bail hearing for missionaries Masih das and Sarita in India on Monday did not take place. Everyone turned up in court with high expectations, except the police, who hadn’t got their act together and didn’t have their files on the case ready – after six weeks! The judge reprimanded them, but it was like water off a ducks back. Those behind the scenes who pull the strings want to delay this hearing for as long as possible; they really do want to see an end to Christian work amongst the Santhali tribe. And it’s made me so angry; what’s happening is so wrong, and it seems as if we are helpless to do anything about it.

And all of the time two of the finest Christians I have ever known have had their lives put on hold in two horrible prison cells.

A great promise from God to speak out when feeling totally overwhelmed and inadequate when facing a gigantic challenge is found in 2 Chronicles 20v15 and 1 Samuel 17v47

This is a promise I’ve known and that has been important to me over the years when facing different challenging situations. Several good friends have pointed me back to it again, so I’ve been trying to revisit it and apply it to this situation from a distance of several thousands miles.

Having woken early on Monday morning to get news from the bail hearing in India and expecting to hear of a great break-through and triumph from our victorious God, my heart was crushed. I heard nothing, absolutely nothing. Nothing had happened; family members had travelled for 5 hours to be in the court and nothing happened. Nothing. The police didn’t care; no one seemed to care.

‘Lord this is Your battle, is it too hard for you?’

Then came that small quiet voice. ‘yes it is my battle, not yours. Please leave it to me. Make yourself still and watch. I’ve set the ambushes. I can use confusion. Watch the confusion result in the enemy attacking himself’.

It’s hard to make myself still. I used to like loud praying, walking about and declaring the victory of King Jesus the Tomb Buster, praying in tongues, praying the Lord’s Prayer, binding and loosing, praying with an open Bible, praying with others, praying over the phone … but something is changing in me.

‘This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…. you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you’. (2 Chronicles. 20:15-17) .

How to make myself be still? That’s my challenge.

If you’ve learnt how to do this please post some tips below.

I’ve added a link to an old familiar song that has been rising up in my spirit to strengthen my heart to be still during this battle. Listen to it and let praise rise up in your heart in whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, knowing the battle is not yours, but belongs to the Lord.  Its incredible how in being still you can hear the battle march!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His love endures forever!