Walking Humbly Before Our God

"With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God?  Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?  Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil?  Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?  He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the LORD require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and o walk humbly with your God"  (Micah 6:6-8). 

The best missionaries are often those saved from vilest lifestyles.  Raymond Lull, for example, grew up self-indulged on the island of Majorca off the Spanish coast in the Mediterranean.  His father was wealthy and powerful,  a friend of the king.  Lull, sexually indulgent, slept with many women, even following his marriage and the birth of two children.  But one day at age 32, writing some erotic poetry, he was stricken with guilt.  He envisioned Christ suffering on the cross.  He was converted


Majorca was controlled by Muslims, and gradually the young man felt a desire to reach the Islamic world.  After providing for his wife and children, Lull gave away the rest of his possessions.  He studied extensively for several years, learning the Arabic language and all he could about both Christianity and Islam.  With the king's help, he established a school on Majorca for the training of missionaries.  he met repeatedly with popes and  cardinals, trying to persuade them to establish similar schools across Europe for missionary training and language study.  He lectured, wrote, and preached extensively.  Then he began his actual missionary work at age 55, targeting North Africa.

It began unsteadily.  Having announced his departure for Tunis, Lull was joined by well-wishers at the port at Genoa.  but he was suddenly overwhelmed by the terror of possible martyrdom.  His belongings were unloaded and the ship sailed without him.  He quickly recovered and caught the next ship for Tunis.  His fears were valid.  He found himself in constant danger, living a fugitive's life.  He was eventually arrested, deported, and stoned on his way to the boat.  But he couldn't stay away, and  he made repeated forays into North Africa, always at risk of life and limb.  Throughout his 70s and 80s, Lull was preaching to Muslims.

Finally in June 30, 1313, Lull was seized, dragged out of town, and stoned.  He died shortly afterward.  But he advanced Christian missions like no one else in his age and paved the way for everyone since with a burden for Muslims.
Morgan, Robert J.: On This Day : 265 Amazing and Inspiring Stories About Saints, Martyrs & Heroes. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000, c1997, S. June 30

Today stories coming out of dominantly held Muslim countries are conversions to Christianity under the power of the Holy Spirit.  One cannot help but wonder how much influence is still held by such stalwart men for Christ as was Lull that is still having and affect after so many years.  Secondly, we too often look for retirement as a time to relax and enjoy life, Lull worked for the Lord into his 80s.  I see not retirement program in the Bible, at least not until we are in heaven and then I wonder what will God have for me to do for an eternity.  We all have something to contribute for the advancement of the Kingdom of God and the message of Salvation through the death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven by our Savior Jesus, Christ.

Daily Prayer:


Give me a heart for the unsaved Lord, help me to know what it is specifically You want me to do and I will do it.  May I always have an eternal perspective towards life and the need to bring the Good News of Salvation to others.  I thank You for Your blessings, and for Your very presence in my life.       Amen