"He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus." - Matthew 14:10-12

The 11th branch of Iran's Gilan Provincial Court upheld the apostasy conviction and execution sentencing of evangelical Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani this week. Apart from divine intervention through unknown means, Pastor Nadarkhani will surrender his life for his faith in Jesus Christ. In the event that this occurs, what should we conclude? Did God fail to protect our brother or was there a greater plan unfolding?

As our reading for today includes Matthew 10:39 "...whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" the death of John was no surprise to Jesus. So is the death of every martyr in history. What shall we conclude when the report comes of another believer's life lost to persecution? Shall we question God or shall we reconfirm our devotion to the greater plan as it unfolds?

We must pray with all diligence for our persecuted brothers and sisters (Hebrews 13:3). But as you pray my friend, commit yourself to the cause of Christ at any cost. Be encouraged by those who have paid the ultimate price for faith and stand firm on the spiritual battle field. No matter what may occur in the process, God most definitely has a greater plan that is unfolding.