to keep that which I have committed
unto him against that day
(II Timothy 1:12). After Paul was
saved, he committed everything into
the hands of the Lord.
The apostles suffered much for the
cause of Christ, and they rejoiced that
they were counted worthy to do so.
After they had been beaten for preaching
the Gospel, they departed from
the presence of the council, rejoicing
that they were counted worthy
to suffer shame for his name (Acts
5:41). When you are being persecuted
for Christ’s sake, you too must rejoice
and give all the glory to the Lord.
The heroes of the faith suffered
greatly, but it wasn’t because of
their failures. And others had trial
of cruel mockings and scourgings,
yea, moreover of bonds and
imprisonment: They were stoned,
they were sawn asunder, were
tempted, were slain with the
sword: they wandered about in
sheepskins and goatskins; being
destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of
whom the world was not worthy:)
they wandered in deserts, and in
mountains, and in dens and caves
of the earth. And these all, having
obtained a good report through
faith, received not the promise
(Hebrews 11:36–39).
All God’s promises were not available
to those saints at that time; but even
so, they received much from the Lord
and had the strength they needed to
endure and overcome because of their
great faith. Today, all God’s promises
have been made available to us, so we
must claim them and use them.
Life Is Not Easy
The Bible plainly lets us know
that we will not have it easy in this
life. For unto you it is given in
the behalf of Christ, not only to
believe on him, but also to suffer
for his sake (Philippians 1:29).
We must through much tribulation
enter into the kingdom of
God (Acts 14:22). Nevertheless, you
must know that when you suffer for
Christ’s sake, you will be rewarded in
the end. The Spirit itself beareth
witness with our spirit, that we
are the children of God: And if
children, then heirs; heirs of God,
and joint-heirs with Christ; if so
be that we suffer with him, that
we may be also glorified together
(Romans 8:16,17).
Until that great day, know that the
trials of your faith are worth more
than all the gold in the world. Peter
said, That the trial of your faith,
being much more precious than
of gold that perisheth, though it
be tried with fire, might be found
unto praise and honour and glory
at the appearing of Jesus Christ
(I Peter 1:7).
Wealth and possessions won’t overcome
the devil and his kingdom, but
faith in God will. You can find all the
faith and strength you need in the
Word to face any trial that may come
your way. My soul melteth for
heaviness: strengthen thou me
according unto thy word (Psalm
119:28).
God’s people cannot afford to lose
even one battle in this final hour
because we will lose souls, and we
need to win every soul we can before
Jesus comes. As a child of God, you
will have to do battle with the devil;
but you must be on the Jesus winning
side. Go forth saying, “I come in
the name of Jesus!” Use that name
with all power, and never run from
the battle. All of Heaven’s power is in
that name, and you have the authority
and permission to use it.
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