20130825
Pyongyang, capital of North Korea, used to be called the “Jerusalem of the East.” There were 2000 churches and hundreds of thousands of Christians. But in 1948 the Communist Dictator Kim Il-sung took over power and did his best to wipe out Christianity. The persecution against Christians continues till today. What? Are there still secret believers? How did they survive these 65 years of persecution? Can the North Korean underground Church grow?
Surely not!
In the 1950s, People’s Republic of China sacked all foreign missionaries, arrested Christians and massacred many of them. No one knew if the Christian Church in China would survive. In 1951 there was an estimated 1 million Christians. Would that number dwindle? Would that number, against all odds multiply?
Impossible?
“With man, this is impossible, but not with God. All things are possible with God” (Mk. 10:27). The number of Christians in China amazingly flourished and grew! 2012 estimates: 80-100 million Christian s. God did do the impossible. Can He, will He do the same for North Korea? What about Central Asia? Or nearer home – Indonesia and Malaysia? Haig Road area?
The task to take the Gospel of Jesus to all nations is unfinished. It is laden with difficulties and dangers and demand sacrifices and is costly. The effort to reach foreigners in our midst also requires extra prayer, time and effort. We need to leave our comfort zones. We are often held back by our lack of interest (“too inconvenient’), by ourimpatience (“too difficult and slow”) and by our fears and our unbelief . Jesus rebuked his disciples: “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Matt . 8:26) and “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed , you can say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matt. 17:20). Do we see a big mountain or a magnificent God?
Hudson Taylor, founder of China Inland Mission, today’s OMF, who pioneered work in the hinterlands of China in the 19th century, said: “There are 3 stages to every great work of God; first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” But with every miracle, someone has to step forth in faith, in obedience. Just before the parting of the Red Sea by Moses, the Israelite priests had to have faith to first step into the water. Our Lord Jesus has told us: “I am sending you“. We need to obey and step out in faith. “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mk. 5:36)
