Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

May 12, 2011     

Daily Courage
       
from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


Then the Lord said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and who shuns evil.
(Job 1:

Job

Satan had not expected that God would talk to him about Job. Satan had hoped that he could bring a report about all the misery he had seen during his roaming through the earth. He had his story ready, about all the hypocrites, thieves and adulterers. And about all the Christians who hate each other and who are not to be trusted. Those who sing righteous songs but do bad things. That's what Satan would like to talk about. That is what he looked forward to.

But the Lord only wanted to talk about one thing - this Job, who was so trustworthy.

Satan always wants to talk about negative things. He encourages God's children to do the same - and with much success. God points us to the positive. Although he condemns sin and is moved by the needs of men and the world, he offers forgiveness and expectations for people without hope for the future.

He is our God and Savior. We should walk in His steps. And pray:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
(Psalm 139:23-24)

[Judy Harder]

Does Job fear God for nothing? Satan replied ... You have blessed the work of his hands ... but stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.

(Job 1:9-11)

Job

These verses form the essence of the Book of Job. Many think that it is about the problem of suffering. Although the suffering of Job is central, surely the essence is this - Does Job believe in God out of love, or because He had blessed him so much?

Satan charged Job with the latter. Job had reasons for being well rewarded by God.

"Does Job fear God for nothing?" "Yes," said God. "Impossible," said the devil.

Job himself knew nothing of the conversation between Satan and God. If only he could have looked behind the scenes! But he could not do that. Job was, although it sounds awful, the battleground. Job was the only one who could clarify who was right, God or the devil. And Job declared who it was. Although the price was high - humanly speaking too high - Job clung to God and God to him!

When everything around Job died, this witness remained, "I know that my redeemer lives." (Job 19:25)

Job's faith was based on this. He was sustained by the living God.

The Redeemer still says, "See I make all things new."

May that also be your confession and comfort - now and always.

[Judy Harder]

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.  (Job 1:21-22)

Job

Many sayings from Sister Basilea Slink are well known. One of these reads, "God's actions are always love, even if we do not understand Him."

Job could have written those words, or better still, this was Job's testimony.

He did not understand God. He was full of "whys" but he had no doubt that God had His best in mind.

Some people say that you must never ask "why" something has happened, but "what for?" That may sound a little pious, but on a more practical note, hear the words of a woman who herself had come through many things. "I do not ask 'why?' or 'what for', but I ask myself the question, 'How am I going to get through all this?'"

Job did it because he clung to God who does not have a hand in our suffering, but has His hands around it.

Not only in Job's situation but also in yours.

[Judy Harder]

...The Lord made him prosperous again.  (Job 42:10)

Job

When did the Lord bring a change in the plight of Job? After Job had prayed for his friends.

Friends? They had been more like enemies than friends. They had pushed Job deeper in the mire. They had tried to convince Job with many pious words that his suffering was a result of his own sins. Job had to defend himself (and God!), but his pious friends appeared to know much better.

Job became angry - and God also, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." (Job 42:7).

At least four times God referred to Job as His "servant."

This servant, Job, had to pray for his friends; otherwise God would not forgive their sins.

Would you have done that? Pray for people who say they are your friends, but in the hour of need accuse you of all sorts of sins? Perhaps for sins which they have committed themselves and not you?

Job did what God told him to do. He prayed for his enemies - and then the Lord brought about a change in his circumstances.

If Job could remain faithful in spite of his suffering, then there is hope for us. For Job's God is also our God.

"And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13).

[Judy Harder]

A song of praise to the Lord, to the God who is alive.

This God hears when His children call on him.

He seems far away sometimes, but he is never absent.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

David

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
(Psalm 34:11-19)

[Judy Harder]

May 17, 2011     
 
from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

(Isaiah 41:10)

Antonio Garrido

The events that took place in the revival in my country are an evident act of God's power.

For thirty years the government had taught that there is no God. The Christian faith was ridiculed. But just when the battle seemed to be won by the government, God sent a great revival.

People were so disappointed in Communism that they came to the very churches which the government tried to destroy.

Thousands and thousands of people would gather together in and outside the church to hear the Gospel. They would bring the sick and God performed miracles, again and again. Even atheists came to listen and many of them acknowledged that God is alive and at work. We never need to be dismayed. God is still in control. Despite all persecution and false propaganda the church grew.

Yes, we can trust in God. He says, "I will build my church..." (Matthew 16:18). So we never need to be dismayed whatever the circumstances.

Antonio Garrido, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.

[Judy Harder]

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:5-6)

Enrique Palacio

The first verse of Hebrews chapter 11 gives us a definition of faith. It is synonymous with assurance and conviction. Hebrews 11:6 indicates that faith has such importance that it will be impossible to please God without it.

God exhorts us to be faithful unto death.

"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10)

A road that is 1,000 miles long begins with the first step. Likewise, the first step of faith for salvation is the beginning of your communion with God. But although the beginning is important, we must persevere day by day, week after week, year after year, until that day when we too will be translated to be in communion with God through eternity. The continuation of our communion with God will then be rewarded; and so shall we be with the Lord forever.

Enrique Palacio, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.

[Judy Harder]

May 27, 2011         


from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.  (Hebrews 11:7)

Enrique Palacio

True faith is demonstrated in deeds. In other words, faith must be manifested in the way we live, act and behave.

Noah gave evidence of this reality when he heard God's command and acted upon it. For many, many years Noah built in faith. No signs of rain or destruction were there. But he built and waited.

Christ compares the end times with the days of Noah, "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."  (Matthew 24:37-39).

Noah lived in a time of grace and judgment. He lived in a time of tremendous apostasy. All around him was evil, sin and unbelief. Yet Noah had faith in God. And when judgment came he was safe.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (John 14:1)

"Watch, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."

Enrique Palacio, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.

[Judy Harder]

May 28, 2011     

Daily Courage
     
from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,

The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth - men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air - for I am grieved that I have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
(Genesis 6:5-8)

Enrique Palacio

The work of faith is to hear the voice of God in the midst of many different disturbing voices.

It is to obey the voice of God even if it seems contradictory to circumstances. It is to do the will of God even though you are doing it alone, with no other believers around you.

It is to persevere regardless of opposition and discouragement.

It is to accept the divine judgment without asking about its justice.

It is to proclaim the message of salvation even when nobody wants to listen.

It is ... total obedience despite the circumstances.

Can it be done?

Yes, because He who calls is faithful - He will do it.

Enrique Palacio, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.

[Judy Harder]

May 29, 2011     

Daily Courage
     
from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So he left in Joseph's care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome. (Genesis 39:1-6)

Enrique Palacio

The story of the life of Joseph occupies more than ten chapters of the book of Genesis. It seems that God wants us to know all the details of the faith that perseveres. Joseph resisted hatred, injustice, temptations and maybe the most difficult of all - success, prosperity and power.

From his life we learn:

§         faith is not moved by adversity.

§         faith that persists is not shaken by false accusations.

§         it is not blurred by promises that never seems to come true.

§         it is not limited to the present, but projects to the future.

The faith that persists:

§         sees the invisible.

§         believes the impossible.

§         receives the incredible.