You Are Never Standing Alone

"At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. but the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength..."(2 Timothy 4:16-17a)

It January 28, 1521, Worms, Germany, a city on the Rhine river, Pope Leo had demanded that Martin Luther retract his teachings. What to do? What would you do? Luther knew history for in 1414 John Huss called before a similar trial was put to death by burning at the stake and his ashes thrown into the very river Luther now stood near. Luther had burned the papal orders causing his appearance now before the Imperial Congress called by Emperor Charles V. Luther determined to defend himself uttered these words: "I will not flee, still less recant, may the Lord Jesus strengthen me." He preached along the way to his trial and his friends warned him that he too would suffer the same fate as John Huss. Luther replied, "Though Hus was burned, the truth was not burned, and Christ still lives..." After his eloquent defense of his actions and faith the congress erupted in confusion and was abruptly adjourned and Luther's friends quickly led him away. He gave God all the credit for making him so bold to speak so boldly to the congress.

From the founding of Christianity into the 1800's Christians faced torture, death, at the hands of the enemies of true Christianity. We who live in these modern times, especially here in the United States, have not faced death, often cruel and horrible torture before death; at the most, some ridicule. We too often complain, the music is not right, we need a new worship leader, the pastor is taking too long to deliver his message, and so on. We leave the Church for just about any reason. I wonder for myself, would I have the faith to stand up under the persecutions, and possible death for my faith? In China, Islamic countries, Christians face exactly what Paul, John Huss, Martin Luther, and countless others faced, death. Here is something to consider:

Sudan: Some 2 million people, chiefly Christians, have been killed in a civil war fought by the radical Islamic regime in the north of the country against non-Arab population in the south, according to several sources including Marshall and Diane Knippers' Institute on Religion and Democracy. For several years now, international religious rights organizations have reported that Christians are being raped, tortured to death and crucified.

Somalia: Anybody found out to be a Christian will quickly be beheaded by Muslim vigilantes, Marshall said.

In these countries Christians are growing at a rate of 47%. Here in the United States with 76.5% or the population claiming to be Christians we have had a .5% growth from 1990-2000. We do not face death threats and actual death or physical persecution; then why are we not growing? In China, as well as Islamic countries Christians meet in house churches, cannot wait to be together with each other, fearlessly speak about Jesus, and hunger for he Word of God.

So why write about this? As the title of this devotion is Faith Considered, from time to time I wish to remind myself and you; how is your faith? Are you hungering for deeper truths from the Bible? Are you making any effort to attend and participate in any Bible Studies? Just a couple of questions to try and stimulate our thinking about our faith. Let us not become like Demas who deserted Paul. Why? "...because he love this world..." (2 Timothy 4:10a). When I think of my brothers and sisters in those lands where they face persecution and death I will pray for them that God will strengthen them as He did Paul , John Huss, Martin Luther, many, many others. That I will reconsider the condition of my faith. Will you join me?

Daily Prayer:

Father I pray for my brothers and sisters undergoing persecution for their faith. Help me to look deeply, speak to me, guide me into a deeper relationship with you. Forgive my apathy towards my faith, enable me by you Holy Spirit to keep always my brothers and sisters in prayer. Protect them, strengthen them. Thank you for their witness and may I too be a witness for the truth to those I know who are against my faith.    Amen