One time in my life, the famous Mahatma Gandhi quote "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win" became my everyday song. I wrote it in a small 'post-it' paper and pasted it somewhere on my laptop to serve as a regular reminder that staying faithful to my godly convictions will one-day payout. I will win, and all glory will be given to God.
One morning, my manager called me into a meeting and told me that a few restructurings were taking place in the organization, which will expand my role. With this assignment, I will have to learn new skills and above all, uphold my Christian virtues and be faithful not just in performing the task but also working with integrity. Other people in the organization wanted my new assignment for their selfish reasons, and they kicked back. Things changed drastically; I acquired more enemies, people that I thought were my friends turned out to be opposite. The battle line was drawn.
First, they ignored me, thinking I cannot get it right. They thought I do not have the right experience to deliver on the job. They laughed when I made mistakes. It is common to make some error when you begin something new. However, in no time, I picked up, excelling. When they saw my results, they fought back, and it was a terrible spiritual and physical warfare. They became very crampy, and I wondered why? I confided in some of my friend who opened my eyes to see the reason for the fight. I sensed spiritual warfare around me which made me pray more, and I WON. Yes, I won, and won, and won again. I delivered exceeding expectations. God got the glory, and people saw the light of Christ in me. They saw the difference in being a believer, and some of my friends confessed Christ as help in time of need.
It must have been tough for Lot to stand for Jehovah and be a righteous man living in Sodom. The people of sodom would have severally laughed at him, mocking that he is missing out of the worldly pleasure. They must have set him up several times with all kinds of temptations like some of my colleagues did thinking I will give in and become like them to steal from the company. However, I would not do such a thing, and sin against God, putting myself and my family at the risk of God's punishment.
God is a righteous God, but he also punishes evil. In His righteousness, he will spare the righteous. Lot was saved not just because of what he did but also because of the righteousness of Abraham. "And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt" (Genesis 19: 29). I was spared from losing my job or getting into trouble like some of my colleagues who cheated the company, was caught and had to face the consequences.
Our current act of righteous can spare our family someday. Why not act as God's elect, why not act like a person who put God first and is faithful to Him in all things. God spares us from all kinds of evil when we are faithful to Him. Many times, we do not see His salvation, but He does deliver and spares us. When evil befalls us, it is great to remember that it could have been worse. God spares His children from evil, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46: 1). Our response is to be faithful to Him. Even when we do not see Him, we are assured of His love. We are assured that He is thinking about us, cares for us and will keep us safe in Him.
All the world may turn from God, but you stick to Him. God found Lot righteous, and He spared his family, He found Noah righteous, and He spared his family, He found Abraham righteous and through Him He blessed all nations of the world. What about you, will He find you faithful even in distress. Many believers have stood for the Lord in distress; God helped them overcome. He can help you too. Just be confident in Him, say No to sin, stand for Him, and it will turn out well.
I encourage you to pray even now that you will stand faithful to God irrespective of the situation you may be in. There is help in Him alone to make us victorious despite our weaknesses and distress. It is "Him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24). We have this assurance and many more by trusting and remaining faithful to Him.
Comentários