Pastor Suraj and the believers were getting ready to celebrate Christmas. For most of them this was going to be their first ‘real’ Christmas as they are new believers. But one evening their preparations were interrupted by 30 members of the Hindu militant group, along with several local officials. “Where is the idol? You people do not fear idols, so it must be you who has stolen ‘hanuman murti‘ (an idol of the monkey god) from our temple…we are not going to spare you…†The group made many threats to Suraj and demanded that they return the idol or give them the money to replace their god – otherwise the situation would be serious.
Suraj explained they had nothing to do with the disappearance and pleaded for their understanding. He asked each of the believers and they were equally stunned by the allegation and insisted they would never do such a thing. None of the militant group seemed to believe them and they left with further threats, ‘Stop all your activities! Give back our idol and get out of our village. If not you will be sorry!’
The idol was made of stone and was on display for worshippers inside the local Hindu temple. When it had been reported that the idol was missing a week earlier, the local believers never anticipated that the disappearance would be used against them!
This happened in a large village with more than 6000 people. No one knew about Jesus until Suraj went there in 2007 after graduating from an Empart Training Centre. God has been at work and in this short time 25 families have decided to follow Christ; many of them have seen the miracle-working power of Jesus through healings and deliverance from demon possession.
People from all around the region had been coming to Pastor Suraj for prayer to be free from witchcraft and black magic and God was working among them. Subsequently, Suraj and church have developed respect and good relationships with people in the region. Now it seems that the church’s growth and miracles has attracted unwanted attention from the local Hindu militants.
Suraj sent a message saying, “Situation is getting worse every day; we need to see the Almighty moving for us in this village, we are praying this may be a good opportunity for the people to realize the truth and know that we love them and that God loves them too. Please pray for us and also for them.â€
I haven’t yet heard how the situation will be resolved. What do you think? Should the church stand by their innocence plea but offer to replace the idol for the Hindu worshippers? What would you do in your context?
Thank you for caring, praying and supporting these courageous heroes of the faith.
Blessings
For the Lord and the lost
Jossy Chacko
Be like Daniel, dont acknowledge a fulse god.
Its really not much of a god if it can be stolen
This is what wisdom would do…but what would love do, well I would say “We didnt steel it, but if you want another one I will get you one”(still not a god if it can be stolen)
Whats the greater Love or Wisdom?……….I think its a no brainer.
Thats just my view of course.
wow! this is a tough call. Praise God that He is moving so mightily. I will be praying for wisdom and protection Pastor Suraj and his people. I know that God can and will use this event to multiply His Kingdom.
blessings,
mike.
I think, it would be best if you just replace the monkey.
what good will pastor suraj and the other get if they fight it in court?? Much more money will be at waste and (hope not) The hindu militants might even use violence against them.
God will make a way.
God bless.
Replace the statue? Why encourage people to continue in their idolatry, when God says specifically that He hates those idols?
No, buying people an idol would not be an act of love. If someone is addicted to drugs and runs out, they’ll be angry and go through withdrawal symptoms, but buying them more drugs is not the answer. There is simply no biblical precedent for doing so.
Pray for these lost people!
kd,
I knew that replacing the statue with be like an act of encouraging them more in idolatry. I won’t be done as an act of love. but, not doing so might put more danger into the life of pastor suraj and the other workers. Hindu Militants will not think twice of killing them any minute. What good cause will the death of them do? my opinions is to replace the statue to lessen the danger.
Hello!
Wow! It actually makes me smile that their idol has gone missing
I have personally been delivered from Hindu idols that I was made to bow before as a child, so am not a happy bunny about how other people are being decieved by the enemy through these idols….
There are accounts in the Old Testament, time & time again where Gods people were told to tear down idols and anything that exalts its self above our one true God – Yahweh!
Maybe it was God who ‘removed’ the idol (light of the church literally driving out the darkness!!) or it could equally be someone else who is trying to frame Christians & get them into trouble – who knows?
I will be praying for all involved. God doesn’t always move in the way we expect & we can’t box Him in – like Joshua & many other characters in the Bible, we must seek God for what should be done in this particular situation, not simply go by ‘past experience’ alone.
“Ask for wisdom & it will be given to you”
God bless,
Kiran