June 2, 2014
The Conflict Between Good and Evil
God’s people are caught up in the cosmic war between God and Satan. This conflict between good and evil has become increasingly obvious to me during the past month.
On June 2, Maudine and I celebrated our 59th wedding anniversary. Actually, I had shoulder replacement surgery on June 2, so we celebrated three days early by taking our daughter Debbie, her husband Dan, and our 12-year-old granddaughter Lisa to the Oregon coast.
. Early Saturday morning, while the tide was out, Lisa said, “Bappa, let’s go climb the rocks.” (There were several large barnacle-covered rocks at the water’s edge.) So we walked down to the beach and started climbing the biggest rock. About halfway up, I lost my balance and tumbled backward landing on my hands and knees ten feet below. I jumped up and shouted, “I’m okay.” My hands were bleeding, but by the grace of God, I didn’t have a single bruise. Later, I thanked God for protecting me from major injury or death. Maudine thinks I have a host of guardian angels.
The following Friday night, while I was at home recovering from surgery, two men in a black SUV rounded the corner at high speed, ran through the church parking lot, went airborne, and plowed into the WEI office. The impact broke four concrete blocks, shattered a window frame, and left the east end of the building without electricity. The driver of the SUV was not insured. Now, Debbie is working at the WEI office by lamplight.
About that time, Oregon Lithoprint’s computers went down, and they lost most of the five books and covers that I sent to them last month. Some of these books are needed in short-term mission campaigns this summer. The printer is a month behind schedule, but it looks like the books will be available by the time they are needed in Europe. God has defeated Satan again.
Today, my right arm is still in a sling, and I am typing this newsletter at home with one finger. Yet, I am ahead of schedule.
Satan has hindered us at every turn, but God is stronger than Satan. To Him be the glory!
