There's Nothing Better than God

February, 2006

by: Brodie McClain

Missionary Aroun Warapong, who served the Lord in his native Laos for years, was found murdered on December 23. Just a day after he led a Christmas service his family members found his body abandoned in a creek, his throat slashed and his chest stabbed. This was not Warapong’s first experience with persecution. He had experienced some of this danger first-hand about two years previous, when he was arrested and imprisoned for over a year because of his outspoken faith. After his release, he continued preaching the Gospel despite many threats against him.

What would cause someone to live this way? What could possibly keep him preaching the Gospel even though he knew it would likely cost him his life?

There is only one possible answer. He must have treasured something more than his own life. There must have been something better, more precious, more important than his own well-being. He must have weighed in the balance everything he had in this world and found it lacking in comparison to that one treasure. What was his treasure? What meant more to Aroun Warapong than his own life?

King David knew. He said in Psalm 63:3, “…Your lovingkindness is better than life”

The Apostle Paul knew. He said in Philippians 1:21-23, “…to live is Christ and to die is gain… having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.”

Jesus knew. In regard to his own imminent crucifixion He said, “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name” (Jn 12:27-28). Evidently, Jesus cared more for His Father’s name than His own life.

John 12:27-28 Shall we do less? These men echo the hearts of every saint through the ages, they all sing the same chorus, “There is nothing better than God!” Nothing. Not my comfort, not my house, not my car, not my kids, not my wife, not my friends, not even my own life. Nothing is better than God. And the most important question you can ever ask is: Can I really say, “There is nothing better than God?” Aroun Warapong answered that with his blood. Let us strive to treasure God just as much.