This issue blows my mind. Why would God allow threats to wipe out His plans? Yet, this is the Lord’s modus operandi. Little Moses was sent down the Nile in a homemade boat constructed by his parents. Can you imagine the Lord putting the next great spiritual leader under such peril? Samuel’s mother, Hannah, almost didn’t conceive him. It was only through ardent prayer she prevailed. Think about it, the next prophet or great leader might not even be born if the mother succumbs to discouragement, depression, and stops praying. John the Baptist faced a similar situation. His faithful parents kept at it and ultimately believed the angel’s word to them. King Herod tried to wipe-out all males born in and around Bethlehem when Jesus was born. A dream told Joseph to flee to Egypt. God allowed his very own Son’s life to be threatened. The question is….WHY?
We are given some insight in the birth narrative of John the Baptist. After he was born and dedicated to the Lord, his extended family, friends, and community were amazed. Listen to the words of Luke.

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.
59 And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zachariah, after his father. 60 But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. 63 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. 64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. 65 Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him. Luke 1:57-66

When God’s plan faces total annihilation but prevails, it is sign to everyone that the “hand of the Lord” is certainly upon these men and women of God. Martin Luther, John Wesley, and numerous others almost passed away before they were used of the Lord.  Are you one of these people who has faced death only to be preserved by the hand of the Lord? This is providence. There is destiny in your future. Don’t waste your sorrows. Don’t waste the opportunity which has been afforded you. It is time to seek the Lord and discover exactly your purpose, destiny, and future. The Lord is not trying to keep this information from you. He is desperately trying to get you to understand why you have been left here on earth, when so many others are still asleep.

 
Blessings,

Pastor