1 John 4:4 ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’
DAILY READING; John 12:27-50; 2 Chronicles 16-17; Psalm 78:1-20
One of the most well-known Christian leaders in China was Pastor Samuel Lamb. He began preaching when he was 19 years old, and always lived ready to suffer for the sake of Christ.
He was first imprisoned for two years, from 1955 to 1957, in a wave of Christian persecutions that arose in China. He was later imprisoned again for the second time in 1958, where he spent the next 20 years in gruesome labor camps, mostly working in coal mines. Despite the harsh punishments, Lamb continued to preach and teach, becoming the beloved secret pastor to hundreds of fellow inmates.
He took joy in suffering for the sake of Christ. Even before he went to prison, he was so ready to be arrested that he always had a bag packed with some clothes, shoes and a toothbrush. And when the police finally came for him, he simply picked up his bag and followed them.
After his release in 1978 from 20 years imprisonment, undaunted, he again took up his work as a pastor. He later built a phenomenal ‘house church’ congregation of more than a thousand people. As attendance continued to grow, he had to move his congregation to a bigger building in the same city. Despite his past sufferings he was rewarded to witness the exponential growth of the Chinese Church. At the time when he was first imprisoned, the estimated number of Christians in China was about a million, but today estimates say there are now about 100 million Christians in China.
Pastor Lamb is known for famously quoting “More persecution, more growth.”
He often taught against murmuring and grumbling in times of persecution, but rather encouraged others to count it all joy. Despite all he went through he remained undaunted, standing boldly — and with spiritual grace, against the fierce opposition. He became an example for millions of Chinese believers, as well as Christians in many parts of the world.. The book ‘as bold as a lamb’ captures his compelling story of finding joy in the midst of relentless persecution.
In the history of Christianity, persecution has often been a necessary fodder for the growth of the Church. This is why the Bible tells us to count it all joy when we pass through fiery trials, because it is all working out together for our good.
In Acts chapter 8, the church grew after the disciples were scattered from Jerusalem. Earlier also in the book of Exodus, we saw how Pharoah tried to destroy the children of Israel through oppression, but the more he persecuted them, the more God multiplied them.
Indeed no matter the persecutions, believers always rise stronger because the greater One lives in us.
1 John 4:4 says ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.’
The truth is that being born of God has destined you to always be an overcomer.. As a child of God, no matter the adverse situations you may face, you will only keep coming up and rising higher, because by nature you belong to the top. No matter how many times you may be pushed down, you will only keep rising above. And even right now, what may look like a cutting down, is only pruning you to grow bigger, better and stronger.
Instead of diminishing, persecution only helps Christians to thrive and grow. Just like oil by nature always ascends above water, the anointed of The Lord will always rise above the waters of afflictions.
John 3:32 speaking about Jesus says ‘He that cometh from above is above all’.
By virtue of carrying the nature of Christ we are meant to be above too. As believers we are always to be the head and never the tail. So it doesn’t matter how other people may get cut down in this period of difficulty in the world, always know that as a believer it will all work out for your good. Therefore do not be discouraged by what may look like a setback, it is only a set up for your glorious comeback. Through Christ you have all it takes to keep going forward. Indeed you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you. And Just like Christ, because you are from above, you will always be above all.
PRAYER: Lord, please give me the grace to persevere through this time of difficulty in the world. By Your grace, I will keep rising despite how many times situations try to bring me down. Thank You Lord for causing me to be above always in Jesus Name..
QUOTE
When God places His hand upon a man in life nothing can come against him, this is because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. – WORDBITE 222.