True Faith Can’t be Destroyed

"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— " 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NKJV

In a heartbreaking story titled “Husband of slain runner pleads for tips for wife whose faith drove her” published last week, the writer said Oluwabukola Pereira-Showole, who went by Bukola or Bukky, was fatally shot May 8 in Lockland. Witnesses say she was chasing a man who robbed the auto business where Pereira-Showole was a manager.

Now, nearly a month after her death, no arrests have been made. Showole said on June 5 that her family is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect.

Bukola was an elite runner on the Nigeria's national track team. She came to the United States and competed at several colleges across the country and previously won the Flying Pig 5K. She was preparing to graduate from Xavier University on May 16 with her second master's degree before she was gunned down.

"Her faith was the engine that drove her," Showole said outside Vineyard Cincinnati Church in Springdale, where a celebration of Bukola's life will be held next week.

He said his wife would wake up every morning and pray. When he made a mistake, she showed him instant forgiveness. At home, he always knew where was in the house because he could hear her singing gospel songs....

"This person has ripped apart a significant part of our lives, but he has not destroyed our faith in the grace of the Lord," he said. "This person needs to come forward and repent for this great sin."

Showole said that Bukola brought pure joy to their home and loved his twin son and daughter like they were her own.

"As Christians, we say the Bible is God's love letter to humanity," he said. "For me, Bukola is God's personal love letter to me."

And, you know, as tragic as this story is, it serves as a reminder that, although we, as believers, might face trials that cause us to feel "hard-pressed on every side," these trials will not crush us. 
We might experience sorrows and face circumstances that cause us to feel completely baffled, but we have no reason to ever be discouraged. 

We might be afflicted and oppressed for our faith, but we can remain confident that God will never abandon or desert us. We might even suffer devastating blows, but we can remain calm, steadfast, and courageous in the face of adversity and life’s difficulties, knowing that we will be divinely preserved. 

This means our faith in the grace of the Lord can remain unwavering and strong in the midst of a chaotic world and the ripping apart of portions of our lives. 

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.'" John 16:33

Why? Because we have "God's love letter to humanity," that gives us peace and comfort in all situations. In this love letter known as the Bible, our Savior promised this… "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 

Did you get that "will" part?  That means, it's not a matter of if we will have trouble but when. 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17  

Furthermore, since we know that ALL Scripture is inspired by God, we know that we can count on ALL the promises of God. 

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you." Isaiah 43:2

"that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ," 1 Peter 1:7

This includes the beautiful promise found in Isaiah 43:2 that tells us "when" we go through overwhelming emotions, chaotic circumstances, and life's sudden crises (the waters and the rivers) that cause us to fear we will drown, God will be with us and keep us afloat. 

And "when" we experience intense periods of testing, persecution, or severe suffering (the fire), we can be confident that "the genuineness" of our faith, "though it is tested by fire" will be divinely preserved for eternity, showing that true faith can never be destroyed. This ultimately brings glory to God and will be rewarded by Jesus Christ upon His return. 

So, no matter what you're going through today, take hold of the promises in the Bible my friend. Read them thoroughly and commit them to memory so that "when" the day of trouble comes, you won't be shaken and your faith in the grace of the Lord will not be destroyed. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that gives us comfort, guidance, peace, instruction, and so much more. Compel us to read it each and every day Lord that we might be equipped for every good work and ready for every trial that we will face. We pray for the Showole family today God. May they feel your peace and may Bukky's legacy of faithfulness (her well-worn Bible is pictured above) live on and inspire others to seek Christ in the same way that she did. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!