Davy & Natalie were missionaries called to go to Haiti, fully knowing the risks. Haiti is a terrible country dedicated to the evil one many years ago. It’s a nation of dark magic in voodoo, violence, and death. That is the history of Haiti but Davy & Natalie decided to go nonetheless. They were recently married and going there to minister to children behind enemy lines.

Do we have courage like that today? These days I think true followers of Christ must ask ourselves that question.

Davy & Natalie were a lovely Christian couple. I’m sure their parents who started the ministry in Haiti were looking forward to grandkids. They had their whole life ahead of them to serve God. They could have left Haiti as things began to get more chaotic and dangerous. But they chose to stay for the sake of Haitian youth. And then they were murdered by a street gang, one of many that run the city. Why did God allow their lives to be taken? He could have delivered them but he didn’t.

I don’t get too many words from the Lord about why evil things happen. It’s a common question often without clear answers. But I was reflecting this morning about the Lloyds and their brief lives because it happened to align with a study I am doing in the book of Revelation. I think I may have found some answers.

Why did God not intervene?

• Because going to Haiti to minister to these kids under hostile, life threatening conditions was their choice. They knew the risk. They knowingly placed their lives in the line.
• What happened has nothing to do with the kingdom of this world. This is about the Kingdom of God. God has the big picture of His Kingdom in view when it comes to his people. There are great rewards in the Kingdom for those who suffer and die for the sake of the Name. If it was their choice, then why would God intervene in what they willingly and courageously choose to do? Particularly with this great, forever reward promised?
• One other reason has to do with us. We need examples of faith today. It builds is up and prepares us. Someday soon, perhaps the Lord will require us to stand on faith when it will cost us something. In that day, take heed of their story.

The day of God’s retribution against evil is coming. God will intervene and judge evil once and for all. There will be justice. The blood of martyrs will be avenged. But right now we still live in a day in which anyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved. That is what the Lloyds worked towards and what we who follow Christ should also work towards. Even when it costs us something.

Two verses that I hope you find encouraging and that may help remind us of people like the Lloyds:

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth: In the age when all things are renewed, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

Matthew 19:28-29

Now when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given. They cried out with a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Master, holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” Each of them was given a long white robe and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached of both their fellow servants and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.”

Revelation 6:9-11

The Lloyds knew the stakes were very high. They chose those Haitian kids and they chose Jesus. They chose wisely.