IN THAT MOMENT…

WHAT WILL YOU DO…   

… when they put a gun against your head? This is of course not an illegitimate question in South Africa. With a high crime rate and lots of car hijackings, burglaries, etc., there is a chance that one may end up in a situation like this.

And yes, I have been asked this question. And my answer was and still is, “I don’t give it one single thought!” And why? Because I simply believe what is written in Luk.21:14,15 (Contemporary English Version), “Don’t worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong.” (It says “in that moment” in Matt.10:19, Norwegian)

I have not yet experienced that a gun was put against my head, but I have experienced how God has given me words of wisdom in challenging moments that my opponents were not able to oppose me. Once we were travelling in Nairobi, Kenya, and the driver made a small mistake when crossing a lane at a traffic circle. We were stopped by a fierce and angry policeman. He rudely pulled the Kenyan in the front passenger seat out of the car, ordering him in the back seat, and he himself got in the front seat. Angrily he ordered the driver to drive off to a police station where he would be charged. After a while he ordered the car to be stopped, and the Kenyan to get out of the car with him. They started a conversation a distance from the car…

I was sitting in the back seat and cried in my heart: “Dear Jesus, what can we do?!!” The next moment the Kenyan opened the door and said: “If we pay him a proper sum of money, he may let us go.” Words then came into my mind and I looked the policeman straight in his face and said to him: “Whatever you do to one of us today, God will do that to you – and much worse!” The cruel and corrupt policeman stared at us, and then said: “OK, forget about it all! You can go!” My words had come straight from heaven and he could not resist it!

Jesus says in Joh.8:29 that the Father has never left Him alone, for He always did what pleases Him. Exactly the same applies to you and me! But I should not only want to hear from Him what I should do when I am in need. No! I should live according to His will every day! Then the words He Himself said, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” are meant for me! And I can boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb.13:5.6 NKJV.)

In whatever situation I get, Jesus will give me the right words to say and He will work in my heart precisely what I should do in that moment! “But you will not really be the one speaking. The Spirit from your Father will tell you what to say.” (Matt.10:20, Contemporary English Version.) And these words from the Father are full of power! It was with words that came from the Father that Jesus rebuked the roaring sea and crashing waves, that brought them to absolute silence! And made a fig tree withering away in one moment. It does not matter whether it is a corrupt policeman or a cruel murderer pointing a gun – the words from the Father have the power to freeze their minds and utterly paralyse them! Or let them in shame drop their plans.

Now you can ask me: Is it safe for you to live in South Africa? Yes, for me and everyone who lives to God’s pleasure it is very safe! And to please God means that I believe Him and every word that He speaks to me (Hebr.11:6 NKJV).