Yesterday was an historic day in American history. Like the fall of the Berlin Wall, I assumed I would never see the president of the United States and the leader of North Korea meeting and talking peace.
The two signed a statement in which “President Trump committed to provide security guarantees to the DPRK, and Chairman Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
While there is a long way to go, how did this happen?
President Trump put it this way, ”The past does not have to define the future..there’s no limit to what North Korea can achieve..today is the beginning of an arduous process…only the courageous can make peace.”
Why does all this matter? Here are few reasons that matter to me.
First, those Americans who fought in Korea are now in their 80s. I am thankful for their service and that many have lived to see the conclusion of the Korean War. These veterans experienced harsh conditions and a terrible war. Hopefully, they are able to see the fruits of what they did.
Second, this is a first step toward taking nuclear weapons out of the hands of an unstable leader.
Finally, for me this matters most because of the suffering of the North Korean people. Hopefully, this will move toward a time when these suffering people will have food and fuel.
The president stated that he and Mr. Kim discussed human rights at length. North Korean prisons are filled with dissidents, many of them Christians.
Jim Denison noted that North Korea is the “most oppressive place in the world for Christians.” In North Korea up to seventy thousand believers are in concentration camps and more than 75 percent of these do not survive.
I pray this will bring comfort to those imprisoned and an openness to practice their faith. I pray that the gospel will go to this sad nation. When the doors are opened only a little, I expect a great harvest of souls in the north.
The number of believers the north is growing, and their faith is strong.
Let us pray for peace, and let us pray for an open door for evangelism in North Korea.
3 Responses
Meanwhile Trump bashes Justin Trudeau and our closest allies while praising an authoritarian leader like Kim Jong Un. I wouldn’t get your hopes up about this agreement, like most things Trump does or says it is not worth the paper it is written on.
Just 4 days ago you asked us to live in Ephesians 4. Your fourth and sixth rules fit here. If we can’t say something good then don’t say anything. I believe God puts leaders in place for a reason. Maybe he has put these 2 wrongs together to make this specific right? I choose to look to the future with hope. Can we all pray together that this works for HIS glory?
I’m excited about the progress made in N Korea and like you I rejoice that the people may be able to live free , prosper & hear the gospel. I say this with cautious optimism, but nothing is impossible for God,