“KINDLING WOOD FOR THE FIRES OF HELL”
February 15, 2024FASTING “FAD?”
February 17, 2024We have to pray at all times, and in all circumstances. We need God, to help us through, in our life, and all that we encounter. In short – YES, for sure, we should pray – “2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;” “17 pray without ceasing,” “18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” – Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18
However, please do not pray, that we will not, and should not encounter, problems and persecution. We should, as Christians, learn to face hardships…endure difficulties. I don’t want to pray, that God would rescue us, from going through the fire – “1 But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Saviour…” – Isaiah 43:1-3
Remember the three Hebrew boys exiled in Babylon? They were thrown into fire, heated seven times more than usual. Yet, “16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” – Daniel 3:16-18
So please, let us not pray, asking God to rescue us, and save us. Let us pray, that God’s will for that moment would be done, in and through us. This is far more important than we being rescued or saved, from going through the problems.
Let us pray, that God would give us strength and courage, to face all the persecution. Let us pray, that we would remain faithful to the LORD our God, in the face of hell’s fury. Not an easy proposition. May the LORD help us to be like the faithful disciples of the LORD, who stood for God in utter disregard for their personal safety and comfort. May the LORD help us stand firmly and steadfastly for Him, and His glory.
