02/24/2009
(In bringing out this truth, the intent is not to say that we must or will suffer loss during these times but that we are established in Christ’s sacrificial Love and are able to walk in the peace of God even if things don’t turn out the way we expect. Not only that we need to balance this in the context of standing our ground on the victory Christ has provided for us when necessary)
Daniel 3:17,18 – If it is so that our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, then He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods nor worship the golden image which you have set up.
Many of us are familiar with the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The main point I would like to highlight here, which is very relevant for our times is that their faith was balanced. Though they believed that God was able to save them, they were also ready to die for Him even if He did not (verse 18). Pleasing God was more important to them regardless of what it might cost, which was in this case their own lives.
The apostles had truly experienced the Love of Christ, that they were willing to let go of even their basic necessities for the sake of the gospel at times. Have we experienced the Love of Christ to that extent? Do we know what it is to suffer for Him that we might also reign with Him? If we do, we will not be shaken during these times or have we become so selfish that we don’t see this aspect of the gospel?
We’ve gone from poverty to prosperity and in that context from selflessness to selfishness. While it is true that God will supply all our needs, it is also possible to be in a place where the Love of Christ so overwhelms us that along with Paul we can say,” Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written… But in all these things we more than conquerors through Him who loved us”. Romans 8:35 to 39
We often quote out of context the chapter on faith in Hebrews ignoring Hebrews 11:13. While it is true that faith did produce results for them in the natural, it was not what they lived for nor was it their motivating factor. Their eyes were on eternity and therefore lived as pilgrims and sojourners on this earth.
(Hebrews 11:13 – these all died by way of faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off. And they were persuaded of them and embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth).
Also the later part of the same chapter talks on people who were destitute, naked and wandered around as nomads because of their faith. Brethren we need to see the suffering Messiah once again on the cross, and then we will be ready to follow Him no matter what the cost.
We overcome the enemy not just by the word of our testimony or the blood of the lamb but also by having loved not our lives unto death (Rev 12:11).
We see God as a Loving Father not wanting us to suffer. How scripturally sound is that when left unbalanced? Do we know the whole counsel of God? Don’t we know that in order to sit close to Him we would have to drink from His cup of suffering? Or else why would Paul say that I might know Him, the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering being made conformable to His death.
Today, if we are shaken amidst a crisis as this, probably it is because we don’t have this foundation. Many of us are built on a foundation that is self-oriented than Christ oriented. If our foundation is on Christ’s selfless Love for us then we will walk in the peace of God during these times whether we suffer loss or not. Having said all of that we need to understand several important things this hour.
1) This is a time where God is judging this nation for its sinful ways. Amongst them pride, greed and love of money are also being judged. So if we (people) have built our (their) lives or ministries with those intentions, we (they) will surely suffer loss. If we don’t understand this we will not be truly able to help people this hour and if we proceed to help without these in perspective instead of drawing people toward God, we would have taken them further away from Him.
One of my greatest concerns is “If this nation recovers from this crisis at its current spiritual state without God” then this would lead to a people so far away from God that He may not discipline them anymore? If we are without discipline, then we are illegitimate children. That is a scary place to be in and what will impend is a judgment without mercy. For this reason, the judgments of God are uttered (urged) so that people will turn back to Him.
2) This is also a time were God is purging and purifying the church. It has been the hour of lawlessness. Therefore the judgments of God are spoken (urged) over the church with the intent that she repents of her pride, sees her pitiful state and turns back to God. This is a time to establish ourselves on eternal foundations rather than on the temporary.
Revelations 3:17 to 19- Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see.As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent.
