By: Gen. Jim — 6/2/19
“The plowmen plowed upon my back; they made their furrows long… let all those be ashamed and turned back who hate Zion” (Psalms 29:3,5).
Some enemy attacks feel like what is described in the psalm above. They plow deep and long, pain and more pain! In times of persecution it can be hard to understand WHY!? The fires of affliction can be, if we yield to the FLAMES of HELL! A time of growth.
Let’s face the truth: we would rather escape all the terrors of HELL if we could. Who cares if we grow, “just love me Lord, don’t judge me.”
Trials and tribulations are all part of His plan for redeemed man. But we even can experience a touch of Heaven admist HELL! “… these men (Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego) were bound… and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace… And the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Daniel 3:21,25).
Moses encouraged the fearful Israelites to resist FEAR in the epic story related in Deuteronomy 31:6,8, the crossing over the Jordan into enemy territory. Joshua, Israel’s new army commander would lead the assault. Moses instructs the army to “Be STRONG and of a good courage, FEAR NOT, nor be AFRAID of the, for the LORD your God goes with you.. He goes before you…” Do not FEAR, nor be DISMAYED!!! Dominion! Take dominion over your fears, over the enemies.
Whatever darkness looms over you (or me), whatever terrors bombard you – God is with you (me)! Oh we may not think so, for there are times He delays His rescue, but He is always present.
In my 48 plus years of Christian service, I’ve been terrified by the enemy and at the same time touched by Heaven. Christianity, Biblical Christianity, is a walk and war of faith; pain and pleasure, joy and sadness, defeat and victory. Even when we feel like God has totally forsaken us, He will never abandon us (see Hebrews 13:5). Even if we have to become a martyr for His cause, we never are abandoned – we’re glorified. He provides even in want. We must continue to stand strong and courageous for our Lord. He stood in our behalf even unto death, therefore He became the Captain/Author of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10, read v.11 also).
