07/06/2019
Does what is happening in the world frighten you? Do you fear for yourself and your family because of the earthly shaking, and evil that surrounds you? Well take heart because we are in the hands of God, and no matter the ominous storms that come racing across the world, He will keep us, and protect us.
“but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."”
Proverbs 1:33 ESV
When we view ourselves as creatures of the world, and controlled by it, then the things that are of the world cause us to tremble with fear, but when we consider ourselves to simply be visitors here, and citizens of the Kingdom of God... then nothing of this world has power over us.
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39 ESV
On February 12, 2015, there were 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians beheaded for their faith on a beach in Libya by the Islamic State (ISIL). They filmed this incident, and released it to strike fear in the hearts of other Christians, but something else occurred. The horror of this atrocity, which was meant to strike fear by its brutality, had highlighted the peace and comfort the martyrs took in their faith on that day. Like lambs they were systematically killed, and no fear was evident in them. Their faith gave them strength in the face of horrible evil, and they were later Canonized by the Coptic Church as martyred saints.
This event had a great impact on me, and caused me sadness when I considered the futility of the ISIL action, but it also showed me the strength in believing that this world has no power over us as Christians. On that day the worst had happened to these men, but by it they walked unscathed into heaven. I was reminded of the words of Jesus on the cross as He spoke to the faithful thief...
“And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."”
Luke 23:42-43 ESV
This world has dominion over our bodies, but can never claim our souls lest we allow it by faithlessness. The worst this world is capable of can only reach to the threshold of our physical death, and then it is stopped abruptly at the border of paradise. I recalled a passage of scripture as I watched those men as they were martyred that day, and this scripture spoke to me not only of the martyrs whose souls were secure, but of the souls of the ISIL men which were forfeit.
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”
Mark 8:35-36 ESV
So if this is the worst, then what is there that we should fear in our everyday life? If dining with Jesus is the worst outcome we can possibly face, then how amazingly trite is what the world has in store for us today. We are citizens of another realm that is not governed, or even impacted by the ruler of this world... Satan has no dominion over you, and even if allowed to perform his most outrageous acts against you, his actions only serve to return you to the hands of God.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
Philippians 3:20-21 ESV
I read some wonderful words of encouragement written by Charles Spurgeon that were meant to give us hope as we face our trials each day; listen to them, and hold firm to your faith...
“So be confident then, when you hear of wars and rumors of wars. Don’t let these things distress you, but be calm, without any fear of evil. Whatever comes upon the earth, you will be secure — if you are under the broad wings of Jehovah. Fortify yourself on His promise; rest in His faithfulness, and defy even the blackest future — for there is nothing ominous in it for you.” - Charles Spurgeon
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for my citizenship in heaven through my faith in you, and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank you for keeping your hand upon me in the midst of this foreign land, and guiding me safely through it by either your divine providence as I live here, or by calling me home. I thank you Holy Father for the peace and comfort I have in knowing that you abide in Christ, and that He abides in me, and I in Him. Help me Father as I am tempted by my humanity to concede to fear, and yield my confidence in you to this world. Strengthen me in my faith, and help me in my unbelief, for there is nothing of this world that can stand against me with you by my side. You are my strength, and my assuredness in you gives me eternal comfort. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, and my King who rules over both heaven and earth. Greater are you who dwells in me than he who is in the earth, and who then shall I fear. Praised be your name, and your Son Jesus for in you is my hope, and in you the firm and everlasting promise. All glory be yours Heavenly Father because your mercy and grace rain down over me, even as I seek your face from amidst the clouds of war, and pestilence. You are faithful, and your Word is truth... I worship you in the storm, and I call out to you from the world; knowing you will come to me in rescue, and that your Son Jesus has secured me.
Rich Forbes