Recently I read a book that positively changed the way I look at my life, other’s lives, and the lives of people across the globe. Oddly enough, the book was about the persecuted church.*
I don’t pretend to have any experience regarding being persecuted for my faith; but what I am learning about those who face persecution is changing how I live my life.
Persecuted brother’s and sister’s in various parts of the world share a mind-boggling commonality: in the midst of persecution, many sing songs of praise and worship to their Lord and Savior. This one commonality often differentiates those who survive being tortured and imprisoned over those who do not survive the same treatment.
Singing songs of praise and worship to God isn’t an idea learned from a book or a person—audibly worshipping God in the midst of the most perilous of situations wells up from a Spirit that understands how to break the power and the lies of Satan. Knowing that He who is within is greater than he who is in the world, makes each persecuted believer, though still behind bars, a slave to no man. “He leads forth the prisoners with singing…” (Psalm 68:6b)
In God’s Word we readily find examples of our brother’s and sister’s who share the same testimony. The zeal and commitment to live a life fully surrendered to Jesus is ALWAYS front and center. Nothing and no one has the power to control or shut down a life fully surrendered to Christ. Even when persecuted to the point of death, the believer who refuses to denounce Christ, dies a free man or woman and wins the ultimate prize: eternity with Jesus.
The purpose of persecution is an attempt to halt the spreading of the Gospel; thus preventing entire generations from hearing about Jesus. When parents respond to persecution in fear instead of in faith and denounce Christ, their children are less likely to live for Christ. The antithesis for this problem is found in Psalm 89:1, “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.”
God’s faithfulness is greater than our fears. Our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren need to witness a boldness that does not shrink back regardless of our circumstances. Instead of playing it safe, we are left with a choice to continue singing His praise, or not. Just as running a race well is not determined after the start gun goes off but during the training season—our mindset to be witnesses for Christ must be determined now, before we are faced with a perilous situation.
Apostle Paul is a great example of a man who ran the race well. Even in prison, Paul understood the power of praise, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25)
When a persecuted believer, full of the Spirit, and full of the Word of God, is thrown into prison, they land smack-dab in the middle of what we might call “prison ministry.” The Spirit cannot be quenched. Prayers and songs of praise flow from the heart, which in turn are heard by other prisoners. Many prisoners still come to Christ today through the witness of bold, sold-out persecuted believers.
I don’t know about you, but this really motivates me to spend more time in God’s presence and to memorize His Word like never before.
Instead of fearing death and clinging to life, I want to know Christ in such a way that I can live my life with the shared mindset of Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21)
“May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy.” Psalm 132:9
Stay the Course…
Sheila
*Book: “The Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected” by Nik Ripken
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