Unharmed Companions and Failed Plans
The story of his escape is even more amazing in light of the fact that none of his five companions were injured. Only the leader of the terrorist group was hurt when he was shot accidentally. In addition, the police made a chilling discovery during their investigation: inside a bag they found an al-Qaida flag, two swords, and a video camera. According to police, the terrorists had planned to videotape the beheading of all six men and show it on the Al Jazeera television network. Evidently, the attackers knew Farid was winning Afghan Muslims to Christ. The videotape would warn missionaries, evangelists, and former Muslims that they would be killed if they didn’t stop their evangelism and discipleship.
Although the Constitution of Afghanistan reads, “Followers of other religions are free to exercise their faith and perform their religious rites within the limits of the provisions of the law,” violence trumps the law. “This is a Muslim country, and men fighting for Islam have issued these threats for twenty-five years,” Farid explained. As Jesus followers in Afghanistan know all too well, “they don’t like non-Muslim people coming in to preach. In the Quran, it is written that if somebody rejects Islam, you must kill them.” What terrorists wanted to accomplish that morning did not happen. Heads did not roll. Blood was not spilled. The only casualty was one of their own, even though none of the six Christians resisted with force.
Rejoicing in God’s Power
Instead, followers of Jesus experienced yet another reason to rejoice in the awesome power of their sovereign God. No wonder the apostle Paul rejoiced in his suffering and wrote of his desire to “know him [Jesus] and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). The power of the resurrection gives all who follow Jesus reason for great joy. That power is at work in the lives of every Jesus follower who risks persecution and suffering in order to walk faithfully with him. Let us join with our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ and rejoice in the power and faithfulness of our sovereign God. May our joy in Christ ever increase as we grow in trust and faith in him.
Date: 15th November 2025
Martyr: Farid
Location: Afghanistan
Source: The Voice of the Martyrs “I am n”
Author: Not specified
Suffering Saturday 169
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