Psalm 23 Paths of the RighteousНамуна

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6, ESV)

On January 8, 1956, five American missionaries were speared to death by a violent tribe of warriors on a sandbar in the heart of the Ecuadorian jungle. These five men, Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, and Nate Saint were trying to reach the unreached Waodani Indians with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The missionaries had spent several weeks dropping gifts into the village from a piper airplane piloted by Nate Saint. Encouraged by the friendly connection they thought they were building, the missionaries landed their plane on the beach on that fateful day. But the violent Waodani distrusted the foreigners and speared them all to death.

The tragic news captured worldwide attention. Why would God allow such a horrible tragedy to befall those who loved and served him? It seemed so senseless and sad. That might be true if the story ended there.

Two years after their deaths, Elisabeth (Jim’s widow) with her 3-year-old daughter, and Rachel Saint (Nate’s sister), went to live among Waodani and resume the unfinished business the men had begun. For three years, the women lived among the people, learned their language, and shared the Gospel. Over the next several years, most of the villagers decided to “walk a new trail” and converted to Christ. Among the new trail-walkers were six men from the murder party, including their brutal leader, Mincaye. He had thrust the final spear into Nate Saint.

Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow

This story of reconciliation and redemption spans over 65 years, but its legacy will live well past that. In an act of reconciliation, only the Lord could orchestrate, Mincaye and Steve (Nate’s son) reconciled and Mincaye was adopted as “Grandfather” into Steve’s family. Mincaye completed his trail and walked straight into heaven in April 2020.

The senseless tragedy turned into a redemptive story that inspired millions and prompted countless others to go into mission work. God’s goodness and mercy are at work in a million different ways in your life too. Until you’ve completed your trail, pray for eyes to see all the ways his goodness and mercy are chasing after you.

If you enjoyed this plan, you can download the free ebook that accompanies it at: www.cara-ray.com/ebook/