We have been called on a mission that will take us to some pretty dark places when we come to Jesus.There is nowhere in The Bible where I have read, which says, "Come to Jesus and all your problems will be over." On the contrary, Jesus promised us that He wouldn't take us out of the fire, but that He would walk with us through the fire.In fact often through the fire is where we learn many valuable lessons about being followers of Jesus Christ.
Andrew Murray said, "By suffering the Father would lead us to enter more deeply into the love of Christ." In the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:38 (NKJV) the Lord said, "Stay here and keep watch with Me." Even Jesus Himself literally sweated drops of blood in the Garden of "Gethsemane" (The meaning being Olive press), because He understood what was waiting ahead of Him, namely the Crucifixion. The cup of suffering is necessary if you and I are going to fulfil the call of God on our lives. Often we do not like to read columns like this.We like to hear about prosperity, about health, about joy, about success and victory, but the truth of the matter is if there is no pain there is no gain. The bigger the battle the greater the victory. We need to understand we are in a battle, like we've never ever experienced before. We are literally living in the last days.
Of course it is only in the time of great suffering and testing that our faith is truly put to the test. I have said it before and I will say it again, I've never met a man or women worth their salt who has not been through a fiery trial. Think of all the great men and women of God. Each and every one has been through a fiery trial in life. We need to understand that. This is why Paul could say in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me... "We must lose our lives for His sake or else we will lose them all together.
So do not be concerned if at this point in time, in your life, you feel that things are going wrong. Not at all, on the contrary Jesus says "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) So when we are weak in ourselves then we are strong in Him and surely that is the best place to be. In conclusion we are also promised that there is an incredible banquet that is being laid on and promised to those of us who overcome at the end of the age. We can read in The Book of Revelation, not once, but many times the Lord says, "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations." (Revelations 2:26)
So may God bless you as you continue to keep watch with Jesus Christ, not to compromise your faith under any circumstance and the victory will be yours.
