Nothing Will Hinder the Work of the Lord 

On a normal Tuesday in January, minutes before a scheduled call, news broke of a potential terrorist attack inside a complex in Nairobi that housed a hotel, banks, and the offices of high-level organizations.[i] I took the call, but I had a sense of foreboding and ended it early. 

I joined our church staff in offering prayers for those affected and for the city, although we did not have full information. Hours later, we learned that the families of some of our closest friends and ministry partners had been caught up in the attack. Some survived. Sadly, the children and spouses of other dear friends never made it home. 

Since this incident, I have reflected on life through the lens of eternity, thinking of how one moment can have such drastic consequences on our lives. These were normal people, living their lives when disruption came. In one moment, life as they knew it took a dramatic turn.

As we have walked with the families affected by the attack, two tough but important questions have repeatedly been asked:

· 1. Why? Why did this happen? Why me?

There was a young lady whose life was spared because six male colleagues covered her from the attacker’s bullets with their bodies. She alone lived to tell the world of their heroism. 

· 2. What if…?

A friend of mine spoke with his wife a few minutes before the attack. She was supposed to have left her office to visit a doctor, but she lingered a little longer. What if she had left earlier as planned? 

Two portions of Scripture have helped me navigate these questions, and I have shared them with families and friends who were processing this traumatic interruption. The first is 2 Chronicles 20:1–9. King Jehoshaphat heard that his enemies had gathered a vast army to attack his nation. He was alarmed and scared. But there is a lesson to be learned in his response. The Bible says he resolved to inquire of the Lord. He knew the greatness of our God and realized that all power and might are in His hands! Although the enemy’s army was ferocious, Jehoshaphat knew God had a heart to hear his cry and save his people! 

When we face disruptions in life, we too must look to our great and mighty God (2 Chronicles 20:12). I believe looking to the Lord releases God’s power to work through us. We may not know why we are under attack, but we know who is capable of saving us and leading us to our promise! 

The second Scripture passage is John 11:1–43, the famous story where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Here, Martha says to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died” (v. 21). See, in life and ministry we go through difficult circumstances. When Martha was going through such a season, she expressed her deep disappointment to Jesus. If only Jesus had come earlier. Or as I heard from parents after the terrorist attack in Nairobi, if only their children did not work in that building. 

“If only” situations surface often, but we have no way of knowing what will happen in the next minute or where life will lead us. When Mary expressed her doubt, confusion, and sorrow to Jesus, He responded by telling her that Lazarus would rise again, thus giving her hope. But He also directed her attention to who He is, saying: “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die” (vv. 25–26). When He asked her if she believed this, Martha replied, “Yes, Lord” (v. 27). In this she demonstrated her faith that Jesus was exactly who He claimed to be and that He could do what He said He could do, no matter the circumstances.

Like Martha, I have now found myself asserting that I believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life! This has shifted my focus and that of my friends and colleagues who do the same. A servant of God focuses on Him alone! He is mighty in battle. He is powerful to lead us. He is the resurrection and the life, capable of bringing life and hope even in the toughest circumstances.

Friends, take courage. Nothing will hinder the work of the Lord! (Matthew 16:18).  

Prayer Requests

· Pray for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit of God so the church will be strengthened, refreshed, and reenergized to reach the nation with the gospel. 

· Pray that God will continue to build His kingdom in Kenya, doing through the body of Christ what we could never do on our own. 

    

[i] Farai Sevenzo, Faith Karimi and Laura Smith-Spark, “At Least 21 Killed as Kenya Hotel Siege Is Declared Over,” CNN, January 17, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/africa/kenya-hotel-complex-terror-attack/index.html.