Job 23:10-12 ‘..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. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.’

DAILY READING; • 1 Corinthians 8; 1 Kings 22; Amos 6

One night in November 2012, Habila Adamu, who was a Christian businessman in Northern Nigeria, saw a group of men near his home. At first he thought they were soldiers on patrol, but when he saw their robes and AK-47 rifles he realized they were Islamic militants
These men forced their way into Adamu’s home. With his wife and seven years old son looking on, the men asked Adamu to recant his Christian faith. When he refused, they asked whether he was prepared to die for his belief.
Adamu found that even at the peril of death, he could not deny Christ. Strangely, at that moment he said he found himself feeling unafraid.
Realizing that he was not going to change his mind, they shot him point blank in the face.

As the bullet pierced his neck, Adamu fell on the ground, and felt himself dying. The men stomped on him twice and then left the house, leaving him for dead.
Mustering his last strength, Adamu let his wife know that to live is Christ and to die is gain. After that he slipped out of consciousness.
His wife ran outside to find help from fellow members of the Christian community – only to find that the militants had gone on a rampage, attacking other people.

Scared, she ran back to the house and tried her best to stop her husband’s bleeding.
Early the next morning, she was able to transport him to a nearby medical center. But the doctors there told her that there was no point in treating Adamu because he had lost too much blood. They believed he would soon die.
Not giving up, she took him on the long journey to Jos University Hospital. There, doctors funded by the non-profit organization, Voice of Martyrs were finally able to treat him.
God intervened and miraculously Adamu survived. His condition gradually stabilized and he was discharged about two weeks later.
During his time in the hospital, Adamu met the American senator,, Chris Smith, who was on an official visit to Nigeria. He invited Adamu to America to share his experience with the American government.

Almost a year after the shooting, Adamu travelled to America and told his story to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He was also invited to the White House.

Adamu not only survived the ordeal, but God made his testimony to be heard internationally. His surviving the close range shooting was a miracle that became a wonder to many people.

Certainly, we are in the days where we must have a firm resolve to stand for Christ no matter the cost. These are the days of trials and temptations where different situations will come to test your belief.
You may not have a gun physically put to your head, but the enemy will bring situations that will attempt to shake your faith and shift your resolve.
But no matter the severity of any trial, settle it in your mind that nothing will ever make you turn away from God.
Nothing this world has to offer is worth losing the blessed hope of Heaven.

In these last days, do not be surprised by the fiery trials that may sometimes come your way. Jesus said everyone shall be salted with fire [Mark 9:49].

Your own test may not come with a gun, but you can be sure that situations will come that will drastically test your stand in Christ.
However always remember that we are destined to be more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.
Therefore never become intimidated or swayed by the threats of the enemy. The greater One lives in us and He has promised that as we walk through the fire and water, He will be right there with us.
He was in the fire with the three Hebrew boys when they refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s threat.

They had told Nebuchadnezzar “Our God is able to rescue us from the fire. But even if He doesn’t, we still won’t bow,’.
When they were thrown into the fire, to the king’s amazement, the boys were not only unharmed but a fourth man joined them in the fire.
The Lord who was with them in the fire, ensured they came out victoriously.

In the same way Christ will be with us in every trial of fire to ensure our victory.
And after we have been tried we shall certainly come forth as gold. [Job 23:10].

However, to stand strong, we must daily build up our faith through a lifestyle of diligent study of God’s Word and fervent prayers. This is the foundation of our spiritual experience. If we are not connecting with Heaven, it will be impossible for us to withstand in times of trials and temptations.
But when we constantly feed on the Word, we will receive an impartation of faith that will help us to always overcome the world.

As we continue to stand for Christ and refuse to compromise our faith, He will indeed deliver us from every trial and temptation and turn us into a wonder to the world.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the grace to daily build up my faith through in-depth study of Your Word. Through the impartation of strength and faith by Your Word, I know indeed that I shall surely triumph in every trial and receive a testimony from every test in Jesus Name. .

Quote
Your heart needs to be filled with The Word of God to the point of overflow. – WORDBITE 222.