Job 23:10-11 ‘But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.’

DAILY READING    – Acts 13:26-52; Joshua 20-21; Job 30

In 1945, when the Communists seized Romania and attempted to take control of the churches, Pastor Wurmbrand, an evangelical minister 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. Pastor Richard Wurmbrand had endured 14 years of Communist imprisonment and torture.  He is widely recognized today as one of the Romania’s  greatest Christian leaders, author and educator.

Job 23:10-11 says ‘But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.’

When men are brought under fire 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’. The truth is that adverse situations will either bring it out the best or the worst in you, depending on what is in there.

We may wonder how people like Pastor Wurmbrand and his wife could pass through such trials, and still stand for Christ without recanting their faith. 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. 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 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 embedded 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. 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.

And as we get ready to enter into 2019 we must prepare spiritually to be victorious.  As God promotes us to higher levels we will be required to pass through ‘examinations’ that will qualify us. We must therefore be prepared to overcome these tests that precede our testimonies. Have a daily habit of deeply studying the Bible and praying. Understand that as you do so you are building up strength that will show up for you, whenever opposition arises. And no matter what comes our way in the coming year we can always be sure of victory, because the faith that comes from the Word within us, is the victory that overcomes the world.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to be always spiritually prepared through spending time in Your Word and fervent prayers. In every situation, may Your reserve strength show up to enable me to overcome and have the victory always in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

When you make God your priority, God automatically makes you priority in His own plan. – WORDBITE 222.