Wednesday, 10th July, 2024
Bible Reading: Jude 1:3
Memory Verse: Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:13 (NIV)
It is amazing the sacrifice people undertake in a bid to defend their faith. Can you pray that God will help you to stand up in defence of your faith in difficult situations? The Voice of the Martyrs’ writes: “I will not allow it,” Chinese pastor Wang Min-dao said to the Japanese soldiers. “I will not hang that picture of the emperor in my church.” Several years later the Communists demanded that Pastor Wang hang a picture of their leader, Chairman Mao, in his sanctuary. “I do not even have a picture of Jesus in my church,” the pastor said. “I refused to hang a picture of the Japanese emperor, and I refuse to hang one of Mao.” Wang was arrested in 1955, and for two years he was subjected to severe torture and brainwashing. Driven nearly insane by the torture, he finally signed a “confession” outlining all his “crimes” against the People’s Republic. With the confession, Pastor Wang secured his release from prison.
But outside the prison he had no peace. He told himself, “I am Judas. I am like Peter when he denied Christ.” Finally, he went back to the Chinese police. “I renounce my confession,” he told them. “Do with me as you will.” The guards were not satisfied to merely imprison Wang again. So they put his wife in prison as well. In a letter from the prison, he wrote, “Do not be anxious about me; I am of more value than many sparrows.” Wang Min-dao was only guilty of loving his Saviour.
Who wouldn’t want to be brave like Peter, impulsively striking those who came to arrest Jesus Christ? Yet, who isn’t also weak like Peter, denying Christ in almost the same instance under the threat of opposition? God does not chide us for our humanity. He accepts our weakness and works with us until we are strong again. Just as God restored Peter and other believers like Wang Min-dao to a position of faith, He can restore our stout courage again as well. Have you suffered from the memory of a missed opportunity to stand up for Christ? Ask God to restore you today. He will begin to prepare you even now for your next opportunity to stand strong.
Quote: Your performance during the trial of your faith is an acid test to determine the depth of your love for Jesus.
Prophetic Decree: You will not fail the trial of your faith, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
- I receive grace to contend earnestly for the faith delivered unto the Saints, in Jesus name.
- I receive wisdom to stand up for my faith in Jesus without compromise, in Jesus name.
- O Lord, please help me to persevere in defence of my faith, in Jesus name.
- Lord, help me to die for my faith if that is the ultimate price needed to please You, in Jesus name.
- Every fibre of compromise, self-deceit and vain glory in my walk with Jesus, die, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 5-8
Hymn: Will Your Anchor Hold In The Storms Of Life. - Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
when the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
Refrain:
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!
- Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,
when the breakers roar and the reef is near?
While the surges rage, and the wild winds blow,
shall the angry waves then your bark o’erflow? - Will your anchor hold in the floods of death,
when the waters cold chill your latest breath?
On the rising tide you can never fail,
while your anchor holds within the veil. - Will your eyes behold through the morning light
the city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore,
when life’s storms are past for evermore?