I recently read a short biography of John Owen and it mentioned that he expended great effort to get John Bunyon out of prison. He couldn't see what good purpose there was in his being there. He needed to be out preaching and taking care of his family. God had different plans though. It was in this imprisonment that Bunyon wrote "Pilgrim's Progress." A book that has blessed and encouraged many generations of believers.
John Piper has a quote in "The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God," that has been a continual encouragment to me. "Beware, Jamima, God is kind in ways that will not fit your mind."
At present many brothers and sisters around the world are in prison for their faith. One that has become special to me is Asia Bibi. She was imprisoned in 2009 for sharing of her faith. She is in a Pakistan prison for blasphemy. She has a husband and three children who she is not able to care for. However, she spends much time fasting and praying for her family, fellow believers, those who turned her in, those in authority, her country and believers around the world. What good purpose could God have in her circumstances? Eternity may only tell but she will one of God's sparkling jewels in Heaven.
You can Bing Asia Bibi for more of her story.
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