Skip to main content

Fortified City, Iron Pillar or Bronze Wall



 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 1:17-19)
          All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes (Matthew 10:22-23)
          That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.(John 15:19-21)



           Several years ago, R. C. Sproul, Jr. gave a talk about the greatest Evangelical scandal. He said that it is that we are scandalized by non-Christians not liking us. He might be close, but we should at least be more scandalized about the extent to which we call God a liar. Our shock that non-Christians don't like us means that we aren't believing what the Bible says about the world. Today's passages aren't the only ones that discuss this matter but they make it clear that those who follow God will be attacked for it. Want an eye-opener? Read Hebrews 11. 
         Everyone wants to be loved, but God didn't command us to be lovable. He commanded us to love. He warns us that we will be hated and if you're not hated, chances are good that you're doing something wrong. This isn't a call to be unloving or deliberately offensive but a warning that people are going to be offended by you and hate you if you live in accordance with Scripture. 
          God promised us that we would face tribulation. Tribulation should be an honor for us if our suffering is for God's honor. Again, this isn't a call to seek martyrdom or abuse, but to be ready when abuse comes. God tells us to be a fortified city, an iron pillar or a bronze wall when the government, religious folks, and the people of the land attack. It's a kind of zombie apocalypse but there is one safe place to stand: with God, no matter what happens. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In the Sky:
Full Moon (set 7:47 am 276   rise 7:53 pm 87)

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more