Deliverance from Calamities | sermon by Father. Mungamuri Devadasu | Bible Mission

Calamities caused by wars, bombs, or other hardships may harm only the body. However, sin causes harm not only to the body but also to the soul and spiritual life. When speaking about deliverance from calamities, we must consider a few groups of people.

1. The First Group – The Believers: In Daniel chapter 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego agreed to be thrown into the fiery furnace. They were not afraid. They boldly said, “Our God is able to deliver us, but even if He does not, we will not bow.” They were ready to die in the fire, but God delivered them. Likewise, some believers are not afraid of wars or bombs. If it is God's will, they are even willing to die because of bombs. They are not attached to physical death. The Lord Himself said, “Do not fear those who kill the body, but fear only God.” Believers, like the Jewish youth, are fearless even during times of war and bombing. They feared sin more than death, because they knew that if they sinned, they would not attain salvation.

Hebrews 11:35 says, “Some were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.” Therefore, true believers are not afraid of any suffering.

On March 13, 1942, the news of bombings in Rajahmundry created a wave of fear and anxiety among the people, especially because many lacked faith in God. However, a true Christian believer responds differently. Even in the face of death or destruction, the faithful say, "Let the Lord’s will be done; even if He does not deliver us, it is still fine." Such believers are not shaken by bombings or wars, for their trust is rooted in the sovereignty of God. They echo the words, “All things work together for good,” and believe that for those who love God, nothing truly evil can happen. Whether they live or die, they know they serve the Lord—on earth in ministry, or in heaven alongside angels in eternal glory. To them, sin is more dangerous than bombs or death, because sin separates them from God and leads the soul toward eternal hell. Thus, their fear is not of losing possessions or life, but of losing their relationship with God. In fact, many believers have experienced how losses, whether in health, wealth, or honour, can lead to spiritual growth and refinement. The faithful are those who say, “Even if death comes, even if the Lord chooses not to save me, I will still trust Him.” They are not afraid of bodily harm because their eyes are fixed on eternal victory. Martyrs, though appearing to be defeated in the eyes of the world, are victorious in God’s sight. Some may question why Christians die in bombings or why they are not spared. One possible reason could be that there was some shortcoming or fault in their walk with God. Yet even in such cases, God can bring restoration, just as He did for Jonah, who fell into the sea longing for destruction but was saved and used to bring salvation to thousands. Therefore, every trial, including death, can be a path to God’s greater purpose. Believers do not fear bombs, death, or destruction—they only fear sin, for it alone can separate them from their Saviour.

2. The Second Group of Believers: These are the ones who, when faced with danger, try to escape. They follow the principle based on Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 10:23, where He said, “When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.” They also take support from the example of angels helping Lot to escape destruction (Genesis 19). Their principle is that one can escape danger, but not out of fear. They pray earnestly in times of crisis, believing God will answer their prayer—but they also put in their own efforts toward that deliverance. This is the defining feature of this group. For example, the disciples feared during a storm at sea, while Jesus slept peacefully, unaffected by the danger. That calm faith is the lesson these believers strive to learn.

3. The Third Group of Believers: These believers stand on the promises of God’s protection. They hold firmly to verses like Psalm 91:7 – “A thousand may fall at your side... but it will not come near you.” They pray that danger should not come near them, and trust completely in the promise that God will not allow harm. When trouble approaches, they remain seated, open their Bibles, and pray calmly, concluding with Mark 11:24 – believing that what they have asked in faith has already been granted. They preach that though calamity may come to all, it will not touch them. Believers in this group are strong in their faith and receive many promises fulfilled in their lives.

4. The Fourth Group of Believers: These believers walk in the visionary and revelatory life. They admire and accept the testimonies and faith histories of the previous three groups, but go further, desiring to see what the Lord shows and hear what He reveals through visions. By God’s grace, such people are rare in the Bible mission. They rest peacefully at night, and then wake up early—around 4 a.m.—to spend hours on their knees in prayer until morning. During these quiet and devoted times, the Lord appears and speaks to them. But if they do not discipline themselves to follow this pattern, the gift of vision may fade away.

5. The Fifth Group of Believers: These are those who lean on the faith of others. They say, “We are happy to stay close to those who have strong faith.” They admit, “We don’t have visions, the Lord hasn’t appeared to us, and we don’t receive written revelations like others claim to.” However, in their fellowships, there are those who do have visions. These believers listen to what the visionaries say and follow accordingly. If a visionary stays home during bombing, they stay home too. If the visionary flees, they flee as well. They are like the Israelites who trusted Moses' words when he said, “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:14). Moses, a man of visions, led them confidently, and they followed—even though the Red Sea stood before them. Great men of faith also belong to this group. Out of six hundred thousand Israelites, only Moses and Aaron had the gift of visions—yet the rest were not called unbelievers because of that. Even those with visions may feel natural fear, and that doesn’t mean they lack faith. In visions, one might see glorious, fearful, or even disturbing things. The Lord doesn’t reveal them to instill fear but to show that such things exist and must be faced. The courageous see these and gain understanding.

6. The Sixth Group of Believers: These are the believers who walk by divine guidance. They say, “We will go wherever and however the Lord leads us.” They don’t receive visions or revelations, but the Lord guides them clearly and safely. For instance, the day before a bombing is to occur, they may receive a message saying, “A certain person is sick—please come immediately.” They obey and leave for that place. Later, the bombing happens and many perish—but they are spared, not by visions but by the subtle leading of God.

Ways Trials Come – The Benefits of Trials

Ways in which trials come:

1. Trials that come through others
2. Trials that come due to our own sins.
3. Trials that come through relatives or close ones.
4. Trials that come through the wicked.
5. Trials that come through Satan.

Benefits of trials:

1. They reveal us to ourselves.
2. They reveal us to others.
3. They turn us away from sin.
4. They bring us comfort.
5. They give us victory over everything that comes from Satan.
6. They produce patience in us.