STAY IN THE FIRE. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Psalms 34:19 God has promised blessing and favor for those who obey His commands; yet along side this promise is the reality that “many are the afflictions of the righteous”. Believing in and trusting the Lord, living righteously, and obeying the Holy Spirit will not keep us from trouble or suffering in this life.
On the contrary, allegiance to God and obedience to His Word welcomes testing and persecution. God is a refiner and He refines His people through the fire. Persecution will be the lot of all who seek to live in harmony with the Word of God (Matt 5:10). Those who uphold God’s standard of truth, justice and purity and who at the same time refuse to compromise with the present evil society or the lifestyle of lukewarm believers will undergo unpopularity, rejection and criticism. And sometimes even death. For “we are not called to survival, we are called to give our lives away”. (Dr. Baird)
Persecution and opposition will come from the world and sadly, at times from other professing believers. I was talking this morning with my husband about the other men on the crosses next to Jesus. He asked me, “How can you mock a man when you are right there next to Him being condemned yourself?” Never mind that He is innocent and you are not.
Here are my thoughts. These thieves reveal two very different hearts: one was contrite, the other hard and wicked. One repented, the other mocked. I’m a little frustrated with church people saying, “They are just broken. They need to be loved.” One thief on the cross, knew he was guilty, knew he deserved his punishment, did not repent but mocked the innocent. Man is born into sin and the heart of man is “desperately wicked.”
Yes, some people’s stories are heart breaking, and they have truly never been loved. But we are ALL sinners who need a Savior. We are ALL desperately wicked. Sin has to be addressed. The one thief mocked the innocent. The other repented and was delivered from his affliction that very day. “But the LORD delivers him out of them all”.
We must have a revelation that the Lord wishes to deliver us out of all our afflictions. Get this down in your spirit today. When His purpose in permitting affliction is accomplished, He will deliver; His way and in His time. You can take that to the bank. Stay in the fire, it is the safest place to be. Just ask the three Israelite young men who would not bow to any idol no matter the cost. Do not count your own life dear. Wait on the Lord and you will come forth as pure gold. #runyourrace
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
