September 22, 2010
-
God Desires Life
Shortly after 9/11 (2001) I was in a group discussion about the death penalty. One girl shared that according to her moral code no one should take the life of another. She was staunchly against the death penalty. She was then asked how she feels about Osama Bin Laden. Her response was firm and without remorse, “He should die.” While the emotions of 9/11 were still a bit hot, it was still a little amusing to see how quickly she contradicted herself. This is why God is the ultimate judge and not us… we can’t help but allow emotion to compromise our values at times. Something reassuring to know is that God wants everyone to live. Everyone! Check out these verses…
Ezekiel 18:23 (ESV) – Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?
Ezekiel 18:32 (ESV) – For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn (repent), and live.
The death of people such as Osama Bin Laden or Kim Jong Il (North Korea) or Hitler give God no joy. While we may rejoice that many people are safer and can survive as a result of their deaths, their passing gives God no glory. The truth is, death is a consequence of sin, and the death of a person who has not given their life to God is a victory not for God but for the enemy. We should never pray for the death or judgment of others, no matter how evil they are. Instead we need to pray against the demonic spirits driving them and bless them as people made in God’s image, praying for God’s love and glory to be revealed to them.
This is the same for healing prayer. A person in agony (sickness is also a consequence of sin) does not glorify God. They might be able to show worship to God by praising Him in spite of their pain, but the truth is God takes no pleasure in their pain and especially takes no pleasure in their death. God is not sadistic. So if God delights in us (see below for Identity 35) and delights in life, we can pray with confidence for a person’s healing and never give up or ever conclude “It must be God’s will for this person to die because of their sickness.”
God bless!
