On December 30, 2007, President Kibaki, of the Kikuyu tribe, was again sworn in as the winner of the Kenyan Presidential election. According to most reports and the opposition candidate Raila Odinga, of the Luos tribe, the election was rigged and the incumbent should have lost. Immediate fighting broke out across the country. In Eldoret, gangs of youth set fire to an Assembly of God church killing fifty Kikuyus seeking refuge there. This was the first reported attack of a church in Kenyan history.
Two of the cities we ministered in last January are both suffering severe rioting and loss of life. Joseph, with his entire family, had to flee his home in Eldoret for two days and hide. They slept out in the cold, fearing for their lives. In Kisumu, if violence does not decrease, Seline and the orphans at YGC may have to evacuate. Already, thugs tried to break into their cybernet café. In both cities, commerce shut down and it is not safe to go out. Please pray with us for the protection, safety and witness of our Kenyan brothers and sisters.
Meditation
1 Kings 12:18,19—King Rehoboam sent out Adoniram, who was in charge of forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. King Rehoboam, however, managed to get into his chariot and escape to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.
Thousands of years earlier, a Middle Eastern king assumed the throne. His people asked him to give them relief from the heavy-handed leadership of his father. The elders told him to listen to the people. But Rehoboam’s young friends counseled him to take an even sterner posture. He took their advice and in the process of foolish policy spawned a mutiny. People do not like to be cheated, bullied, mistreated or punished. Against such behavior if the right opportunity exists, rebellion is sure to occur. But let us not be so naïve as to confine sedition to tyranny.
Satan did not like God’s authority. Even serving the Perfect Leader, he chose to rebel rallying with him a great number of angels. Mutiny was born in the heavens and earth was not unscathed. We humans are quite adept at resisting God’s law, scorning Jesus’ salvific offering, and grieving the Holy Spirit. The seeds of mutiny are in us! Only grace and mercy can set us free.
Inspiration
Mutiny, a rise against authority, comes from persecution. There is any amount of weakness in us all, but deep down there is red-handed rebellion against the authority of Jesus Christ—“I’ll be damned before I yield.”—Oswald Chambers in Servant As His Lord
