Just follow the link to read the passage online here
My humble request to all my readers would be to prayerfully read the Scripture at least once before proceeding.
The passage talks about a phase of harassment that Christians of the first century faced at the hand of a tyrant called King Herod. Surprisingly, switching centuries to the present, many of us seem oblivious to the reality of suffering and harassment en route to Heaven. Even our prayers sometimes sound as if we believe nothing of this sort could come close to us. I've very often heard exhortations at prayer meetings, "Lets praise the Lord that we're alive and healthy - so many people are in pain and suffering, yet here we are to rejoice in His presence..." I ask a question here (this is not blind criticism): Are we trying to say that just because we're close to God, pain or sorrow cannot come our way like it does for all the others in the world? Besides, in the midst of all our good health, if we've still not grasped God's purposes over our lives and we're wasting it all on ourselves, are we not guilty of arrogance in God's Presence?
Let me make this clear: our rejoicing is not in the fact that no difficulty comes our way; rather, its in the fact that our Lord, who is victor over all, is right there with us through thick and thin, helping us on towards the goal. Read what He had to say in John 16:33. He does not sadistically enjoy the fact that we suffer - His aim is to use the fire to melt us and mould us and then rejoice at the shining end product in His hands. Take a look at what Apostle Paul says in Romans chapter 8, verses16 and 17.
We all know how the swine flu virus has managed to capture headlines the world over and even as you read this, people are in terror in various parts of the globe. As I was driving to a prayer meeting recently, I was listening to the radio and silently thanking the Lord for being in control in the midst of all this turmoil. A question flashed through my mind. Let me word it like this:"Paul, its so easy for you to be thankful and peaceful when you're not in trouble. Would you be doing the same if you were the one with the flu, quarantined and shut away somewhere, hounded by media, shunned by all near and dear? Would it be just as easy to recognise My lordship or would your faith just melt away?" I had no answer. I hope we will not act like we're distant and hidden away from all thats happening around us; rather, lets pray with compassion for all who are suffering around us. Thats exactly what Jesus did: He took one look at the multitudes and was moved with compassion for them.
The passage talks about a phase of harassment that Christians of the first century faced at the hand of a tyrant called King Herod. Surprisingly, switching centuries to the present, many of us seem oblivious to the reality of suffering and harassment en route to Heaven. Even our prayers sometimes sound as if we believe nothing of this sort could come close to us. I've very often heard exhortations at prayer meetings, "Lets praise the Lord that we're alive and healthy - so many people are in pain and suffering, yet here we are to rejoice in His presence..." I ask a question here (this is not blind criticism): Are we trying to say that just because we're close to God, pain or sorrow cannot come our way like it does for all the others in the world? Besides, in the midst of all our good health, if we've still not grasped God's purposes over our lives and we're wasting it all on ourselves, are we not guilty of arrogance in God's Presence?
Let me make this clear: our rejoicing is not in the fact that no difficulty comes our way; rather, its in the fact that our Lord, who is victor over all, is right there with us through thick and thin, helping us on towards the goal. Read what He had to say in John 16:33. He does not sadistically enjoy the fact that we suffer - His aim is to use the fire to melt us and mould us and then rejoice at the shining end product in His hands. Take a look at what Apostle Paul says in Romans chapter 8, verses16 and 17.
We all know how the swine flu virus has managed to capture headlines the world over and even as you read this, people are in terror in various parts of the globe. As I was driving to a prayer meeting recently, I was listening to the radio and silently thanking the Lord for being in control in the midst of all this turmoil. A question flashed through my mind. Let me word it like this:"Paul, its so easy for you to be thankful and peaceful when you're not in trouble. Would you be doing the same if you were the one with the flu, quarantined and shut away somewhere, hounded by media, shunned by all near and dear? Would it be just as easy to recognise My lordship or would your faith just melt away?" I had no answer. I hope we will not act like we're distant and hidden away from all thats happening around us; rather, lets pray with compassion for all who are suffering around us. Thats exactly what Jesus did: He took one look at the multitudes and was moved with compassion for them.
To be continued...
