The writers of the song “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” have experienced the unique and incomparable treasure that comes through spiritual encounters. Without such experiences, people often find themselves deeply troubled, their hearts shattered by the cruelty of wicked individuals in this world. Faced with these atrocities, they are consumed by fear, which blinds them to the presence of God. They feel distress and distress block their progress. Not sensing His constant presence, they question God as if He were a new recruit, asking why He isn’t protecting His people or stopping others from committing heinous crimes, leading them to doubt His contribution in their lives.
Massacre of Innocent Babes
The Holy Bible recounts a tragic massacre of innocent infants around the time of Jesus’ birth. King Herod, feeling threatened and mistaking the King of Heaven for a rival to his throne, plotted to eliminate Jesus. In his paranoia, Herod ordered the killing of all male infants two years old and younger, filling the land with weeping and mourning. Remarkably, this event was prophesied by God, highlighting His ability to foresee humanity’s wicked attempts to remove Him from their lives.
If we view these killings without considering God’s plan, it might seem like an unjust act by God, who allowed the massacre of innocent lives just to protect His Son. However, when we consider it within the context of God’s plan, the true purpose behind this cruel event becomes clear. God protected His Son because Jesus did not come to earth merely to live among sinful men but to die for their sins. If the infant Jesus had been killed by Herod, the entire plan of redemption through His blood would have been thwarted.
This might lead us to question why God did not simply kill Herod. The answer lies in the fact that God’s mission was to save every soul from perishing, including King Herod. Excluding Herod from this redemption plan would contradict God’s purpose. Another question may arise: why didn’t God prevent Herod from committing this heinous crime? If God were to prevent us from sinning by force, we would lose our humanity—the freedom to think and act according to our will—and instead become mere robots, programmed to follow commands without the ability to choose beyond our programming.
God Cares Our Soul
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28 (NIV)
Jesus did not threaten people by telling the people about the destructive power of God, rather He warned people not to forsake the salvation fearing a mere mortal death. When John the Baptist was beheaded, Jesus continued the ministry of John the Baptist without wasting time on speaking about the cruelty behind the incident. Likewise, Stephen was stoned to death, yet he was able to pray not to lay this sin of killing on them. In both the cases, God neither prevents the acts nor punish the culprits. Because these both martyrs are with God once they were killed but the case of the killers are not so. But God in His mercy, awaits for them to repent using their freedom to choose the good over evil.
Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’ – Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV)
At the same time, God delights in the death of His people, though we often think differently. We rejoice when the wicked perish and grieve when God’s people pass away. Do we share the mindset of Jesus? What does God say about the death of those who are saved by His grace?
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” – Revelation 14:13 (NIV)
Atrocities and God
During times of atrocity, we often become enraged by “breaking news,” losing sight of God’s larger plan. In the Book of Judges, we read about the horrific gang rape of a Levite’s concubine. In response, the Levite dismembered her body and sent the pieces to the twelve tribes, rallying them against the offenders (Judges 19:29). Today, news channels play a similar role, spreading such stories worldwide to incite outrage, calling for action or even capital punishment against the perpetrators.
As forgiven children of God, how should we react when we hear of school shootings, public violence, or the cruel treatment of victims? Should we allow fear to take hold of our hearts, leading us to shelter our loved ones or even stop them from pursuing opportunities like job interviews? Why do we let fear paralyze us, wasting the time and resources God has entrusted to us and hindering our growth? This happens when our love grows cold, but Jesus warned us not to let that happen, encouraging us to stand firm in His salvation.
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. – Matthew 24:12-13 (NIV)
If we approach these incidents logically, do we consider their occurrence in light of God’s abundant grace and blessings in our lives? Despite a few road accidents, vehicles continue to fill the streets, and traffic only increases. Shouldn’t we apply this perspective to our daily lives as well?
And what about the outcry over victims we don’t personally know? We often raise our voices against alleged crimes, claiming to protect innocent victims. But what about the victims of misfortune who are always among us, needing our help? Jesus once rebuked Judas Iscariot for his superficial concern for the poor, reminding him that the poor would always be there to receive help. Do we genuinely help those in need, or do we simply make noise about distant victims we don’t even know?
We must overcome this self-created fear that hinders our progress and instead submit ourselves to God, allowing Him to fulfill His will through these events. Just as Jesus prayed in the garden, “Not my will, but yours be done,” we too should seek to align with God’s will, even in the face of atrocities.
A Table Before Our Enemies
During times of atrocity, God always prepares a table for us, though it is often hidden amidst the suffering. Unfortunately, we sometimes turn this table into a weapon in the hands of the devil. Just as Jesus gathered His disciples around Him, blessing the bread and wine before carrying the cruel cross to save humanity, God prepared that table for Jesus and His disciples in the presence of their enemies. By making full use of that table, Jesus did not fear the cross; instead, He instructed His enemy to act quickly on his intentions.
Even today, this table is set before us during times of atrocity, yet we often reduce it to a symbolic sacrament and fail to sit with Him daily to discern His will during the world’s cruelty and wickedness. Job once used this table to bring blessings upon his friends, who could not see God’s presence in Job’s sufferings. In the perceived absence of God, their jealousy thrived, leading them to blaspheme God and His plans.
In our daily lives, what is fueling our feelings of hatred and desire for revenge? Could it be the insincere sympathy expressed by news channels, which stirs up these emotions in us and risks causing us to lose the salvation that our Savior has given us? God is still patiently waiting for the wicked to repent; He does not wish for anyone to die in their sins. This is nothing new for us, as Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). How, then, are today’s wicked people any less deserving of the same opportunity for redemption?
If fear and insecurity are driving us to stand against those who commit wrongs, we must remember that our souls are securely held by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us as the guardian of our salvation until we receive the eternal life promised to us. Therefore, let us not jeopardize our salvation with empty words. Let us guard our speech and avoid doubting the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father, so that His Son may complete the work that we cannot.
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. – Jude 1:24-25 (NIV)
The Jordan Valley 
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