The Other Cheek.

John 10:10, "The thief comes to steal kill and destroy..." This is a verse we hear from time to time but it's days like this that we see the true nature of the enemy. The attack on the Westgate mall has shocked the nation, who can do such a thing, shoot women and children indiscriminately, shoot innocent to further whatever wicked cause that the devil has burdened on them.
Times like these we turn on the television and the news leaves tears in our eyes and the thought that if it were not for God's grace, I would be at Westgate mall, enjoying my Saturday like all the victims were. I read the status update of one of my former classmate on Facebook, she was praying for her family which was at the Westgate Mall.  Her update shook me and I wondered how can such a disaster strike so close to home?
The attackers are still at Westgate Mall, they continue their siege on innocent people and brave officers. It's easy to be afraid and to let your joy and peace be robbed by the predicament our country faces. But I will not fear neither will I let my joy and peace be robbed by these attacks.
I might not know anybody who is a victim, at least not that I know off, I might not know what the victims and their families are going through right now, but I know this much, when Jesus was asked what to do when attacked by evil people, he said the following words, " But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also" Mathew 5:39.
Don't be afraid, give them the other cheek. This doesn't mean that we let them attack us without defending ourselves, or that we put ourselves willingly in the face of danger. It means that when they attack us like they have, we respond from somewhere we haven't been hit. They can injures us, persecute us but no matter what they do they can't touch our soul. The soul in which Jesus resides in, the soul full of love, peace and kindness.
So today, whether I am a victim or not, I will respond with love. I will pray for the victims and I will pray for my enemies as well. I will pray for the attackers for God to free them from the hate and evil spirit that has consumed them. I will turn the other cheek, just like Martin Luther King jr did, just like Nelson Mandela did and just like my Saviour Jesus did.
When Jesus was hanging on the cross, He prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34. So today I ask you to pray for our enemies, to respond with love as opposed to hate and vengeance. An eye for an eye will make the world go blind, so when they expect violence, hate, restlessness and stress, we will show them love, peace and understanding that comes from God so that they too may get to know the love that God has for them.
It might be difficult for you to do this, but I ask you to pray that God gives you ability to see the attackers just as God sees them. This should be our prayer and even in the horror of these attacks, the light of Jesus Christ will shine bright even to save those that attack us.

Let the light of Christ shine through in you today.

So start a prayer chain, pray for the victims, the attackers and our country. And thank God for his grace that saves all that choose to believe Jesus is Lord.
I didn't quote the whole of John 10:10. The full verse reads as follows,"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." So today I ask you not to be afraid, Christ comes so that  we may have life, peace, joy and love. Christ came for you, me and the attackers to.
 If you want to experience this peace and love, all you have to do is follow the instructions on the following scripture, Romans 10:9 'That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.'
Say this prayer with me, "Oh God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus is Lord. I believe Jesus was my substitute when He died on the Cross. I believe His shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection were for me. I now receive Him as my Saviour. I thank You for the forgiveness of my sins, the gift of salvation and everlasting life, because of Your merciful grace. Amen.”
Rest assured that God will use all these things for good and for his glory, so we might mourn for our loved ones and country men and women today, but we will rejoice tomorrow, whether in this earth or when we march as Saints into the gates of heaven, I know one thing, a better day awaits us.
Be blessed.