In the law of contract, a force majeure clause is often included where the agreement can be discharged because of unforeseen circumstances. It is referred to as an act of God. The natural catastrophes are attributed as God’s doing. Recently, as we read of the many hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis that resulted in the loss of lives and property, some would be led to blame God that such disasters happened.
The Jews from the province of Asia (Acts 21:27), who were in Jerusalem, blamed Apostle Paul of defiling the Jerusalem temple by taking a Gentile (Trophimus the Ephesian) beyond the outer temple courtyard. The temple inner sanctuary was off-limits to Gentiles. But their accusation was not correct and was intentionally done to get rid of Paul. “While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar” (Acts 21:31).
When faced with opposition and mistreatment, it is natural to become defensive and to fight back. But the way of Jesus calls for Christians to respond in prayer with humility and love. Jesus said: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44) and “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28). Paul wrote to Timothy, “his true son in the faith”, and encouraged him to continue in his Christian faith despite the challenges and oppositions he faced. “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of” (1 Timothy 3:12).
Christians need to remember that their Master Jesus secured salvation and eternal life for them through much suffering and final crucifixion. The path that his followers are called to walk in their Christian life is no different. Jesus said in John 13:16, “Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” With the grace that comes from their Master Jesus, Christians can have him lead them and learn to live by faith in him. They do not respond to opposition and persecution in the same way as those who do not know his grace. As Christians undergo opposition, they demonstrate that there is a power greater than their own strength at work in their lives. This power was clearly displayed in the lives of prophet Daniel (Daniel 6) and Stephen (Acts 7) when they were facing much opposition and even death. At all times and in all situations Christians must confidently proclaim that Jesus leads them.
Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
sometimes where Eden’s flowers bloom,
By waters calm, o’er troubled sea, still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, he leadeth me; by his own hand he leadeth me:
His faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.
