Ready My Heart For The hardest Test

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 -   With all these things in mind, dear brothers, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the truth that we taught you in our letters and during the time we were with you.  May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and hope, which we don’t deserve,  comfort your hearts with all comfort, and help you in every good thing you say and do.

Paul reminds these new Christians that the end will come and evil will be allowed one last surge of power before Christ returns. He wants them to cling to the truth that God will protect them from this evil…even if they are thrown into the midst of it …if they stand firm on the truth of God’s promise.

I think of Daniel in that lion’s den overnight…and those 3 great friends of his that were thrown into a fiery furnace for their refusal to back down from believing in the one true God.  If God can shut the mouth of a wild lion…and put a hedge of flame retardant around those boys in the furnace…God will keep his promise to gather all of us together who refuse to bend to the evil of that day.

The world is pretty evil right now…it is unthinkable to my heart that it will get worse….but I know it will.  No one will be protected from it unless they have a firm grip on faith….and a belief in God that cannot be shaken.  We must be ready for anything….to die if need be for our beliefs….thanking God for the opportunity to serve Him as we take our last breath on earth.

I am guilty of taking for granted the peace that I have in my small corner of the world.  I read about horrific acts in other places…but evil has not consumed my sweet town as of yet. It is all around me…even touching some I know through missions and internet contacts. I have to face the fact that I am probably not strong enough….and need to pray for strength if I am ever gonna face real evil and keep my beliefs intact.

Father…thank you for the reminder of your promise to comfort and strengthen all who call on your name in great times of persecution. Forgive me for taking for granted the peace in my corner of the world. Help me remember to pray for those that are persecuted every day…and ask you to ready my heart for the hardest test …still to come.  Amen.