Hebrews 11: 33 -34 ‘Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.’
DAILY READING – Revelation 5; Nehemiah 7:5-8:12; Psalm 100
On February 29, 1948, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand was walking down a Bucharest street towards his church, when a black car braked sharply beside him and two men jumped out and grabbed him. They seized his arms and shoved him into the back seat of the car, while a third man, beside the driver, pointed an automatic gun at him.
Pastor Richard Wurmbrand was abducted by the Romanian government due to his resolute stand against their attempt to take control of the Churches.
After the Communist government seized power in Romania, in 1945, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand had begun an effective, vigorous “underground” ministry to strengthen believers. He also ‘illegally’ published 100,000 Russian-language copies of the New Testament Bibles and began distributing them in Bucharest bars, cafes, train stations and parks.
Pastor Wurmbrand’s strong stand of faith and refusal to compromise had made the communist government decide that he needed to ‘disappear’.
Thus he was abducted and taken to Calea Rahova, a prison for dissidents, enemies of the people and criminals of various stripes.
Several attempts to make him give up his faith proved abortive. During his first year in the prison, he was subjected to such physical and psychological depredations and humiliations that he nearly died. He was subjected to horrific tortures: sleep deprivation; starvation diet; beatings with truncheons and boots;
In his book,’Tortured For Christ’, Pastor Wurmbrand recounted how for nearly three years, he was kept in solitary confinement, speaking to no one except inquisitors.
After enduring 14 years of Communist imprisonment and torture, he was eventually released through a general amnesty in 1964. He is widely recognized today as one of Romania’s greatest Christian leaders, author and educator.
We may wonder how people like Pastor Richard could endure such gruesome trials and still refuse to compromise their faith. For such people, just like Apostle Paul, they have to come the point where to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Hebrews 11 gives us a list of heroes of faith, who stood against all odds and overcame through strong faith in God. They conquered kingdoms, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, escaped the edge of the sword and became powerful in battles [Hebrews 11: 33 -35].
God has given us such examples of fervent faith to enable us stand strong, especially in these last days.
We need such strong uncompromising faith in order to quench the oppositions, clear obstacles and access our possessions.
With the increasing fiery trials of these end times, every serious believer must come to that point where nothing can be able to separate us from the love of Christ.
We are in the days when the enemy is rolling out his greatest temptations and trials. But we must decide that, no matter what comes our way, turning back is not an option, we must be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Though you may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, refuse to fear any evil, as you abide in God’s Word, He will strengthen your heart to overcome.
Psalm 27:1-3 says “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’
Despite any setback, hardship, financial challenges or other negative situations, refuse to give in to fear or compromise; the Lord is able to see you through.
As you stay strong in faith, you will surely overcome every fiery trial and temptations. When you decide to stand your ground, God will send you help out of Zion.
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, 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.
Let us therefore constantly build up our faith for victory through a daily habit of deeply studying the Word of God. Through the Blood of the lamb and the Word of our testimony, we will always overcome.
Surely, today, through the power in the Blood of Jesus, every trial and opposition in our lives will be levelled. We will overcome the forces of wickedness and stand victorious and triumphant in every battle.
PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the victory I have through Your Blood. Today as I stand in faith and invoke the Blood against everything fighting my destiny, I know that I have the victory in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
God knows how to work everything together in your life for your own good. WORDBITE 222