1 John 4;4 KJV
Ye are of God little children, and have overcome them, because greater is He that in you than he that is in the world.
• DAILY READING – Revelation 7; Nehemiah 9:38-10:39; Psalm 102
Pastor Richard Wurmbrand was an evangelical minister who endured 14 years of Communist imprisonment and torture in his homeland of Romania. He is widely recognized there as one of the country’s greatest Christian leaders, authors and educators.
In 1945, when the Communists seized Romania and attempted to take control of the churches, Pastor Wurmbrand began an effective, vigorous “underground” ministry to oppressed believers as well as to the Russian soldiers occupying his country. He was arrested in 1948, along with his wife, Sabina, who was imprisoned as a slave-laborer for three years on the Danube Canal. Pastor Wurmbrand spent three years in solitary confinement, seeing no one but his Communist torturers. He was then transferred to a group cell, where the torture continued for five more years. Pastor Wurmbrand was eventually released through a general amnesty in 1964. And when his wife was released, again they resumed their ministry of preaching the Gospel, all over the world.
We may wonder how people like these can pass through such trials, and still stand for Christ without recanting their faith.
But the truth is that adverse situations will either bring it out the best or the worst in you, depending on what is in there.
When men are under pressure what is in them really shows up. Some people would do desperate things just to get out of the fire, but those who truly know their God will say to Nebuchadnezzar ‘we will not bow’.
When you decide to stand your ground no matter the opposition, God sends help out of Zion. He will come as the fourth man to carry out a rescue operation. He will never let you burn. The truth is that those who say ‘if I perish I perish,’ never really perish. They survive the fire, not only that, they come out with a great testimony.
The closer you get to your destiny the tougher the battles. But all that is a sign you are close to your miracle. Often times the battles of life come suddenly, with no room for preparation. At those times when you are confronted, it is what is already imbedded in you that will show up, and it can make the difference between victory and defeat. This is why we ensure our heart is always loaded with The Word of God. When you have a consistent prayer and study life, there will be hidden strength in you. This is what helps you not to compromise or bow no matter the temptations or troubles that come your way.
The time of peace is when to prepare for war. Have a daily habit of studying the Bible. Understand that as you do so what you are doing us building up strength that will show up for you, whenever opposition arises. And the faith that comes from the Word within you, is the victory that overcomes the world. God’s promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 says ‘Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’
Indeed no matter what we may go through, God will never leave us nor forsake us. He is forever faithful and will always help us and give us the victory in the end.
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to obey you always, to follow the path You have set before me, even when it seems difficult, may Your reserve strength show up to enable me to overcome and arrive at my glorious destiny in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
When you make God your priority, God automatically makes you priority in His own plan. – WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]