Faith humbly expressed

This morning I received an e-mail from somebody I respect in Malaysia, the contents as follows:

God Protects His own!
 
We know that 80% of the town of Meulaboh in Aceh was destroyed by the Tsunami waves and 80% of the people also died. This is one of the towns that was hit the hardest.
 
But there is a fantastic testimony from Meulaboh. In that town are about 400 Christians.
They wanted to celebrate Christmas on December 25th but were not allowed to do so by the Muslims of Meulaboh. They were told if they wanted to celebrate Christmas they needed to go outside the city of Meulaboh on a high hill and there celebrate Christmas.

Because the Christians desired to celebrate Christmas the 400 believers left the city on December 25th and after they celebrated Christmas they stayed overnight on  the hill.
As we all know the morning of December 26 there was the earthquake followed by the Tsunami waves destroying most of the city of Meulaboh and thousands were killed.
The 400 believers were on the mountain and were all saved from destruction.
 
Now the Muslims of Meulaboh are saying that the God of the Christians punished us for forbidding the Christians from celebrating Christmas in the city. Others are questioning why so many Muslims died while not even one of the Christians died there.

Had the Christians insisted on their rights to celebrate Christmas in the city, they would have all died. But because they humbled themselves and followed the advice of the Muslims they all were spared destruction and can now testify of God's marvelous protection.
 
This is a testimony of the grace of God and the fact that as believers we have no rights in the world. Our right is come before God and commit our lives to Him. Our right is kneeling down before the Lord almighty and commit our ways to Him. He is our Father and is very capable to care for His children. Praise the Name of the Lord.
 
Bill Hekman
Pastor Calvary Life Fellowship in Indonesia.





Accompanying this e-mail was an added comment:
Romans 8:28
We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he called according to his purpose.



While my own beliefs may or may not agree with those of many others, if this story is true, I think this pastor deserves much respect and admiration, and those who are members of his flock are extremely fortunate -- as fortunate as the survivors of which he tells.