Prayer Journal
Wednesday, November 22, 2000
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? Ps 2:1
In Matthew 16, Simon Peter was commended for his statement of faith that Jesus was the Son of God and the Messiah. Afterwards, Jesus compared Peter's statement of faith to that of His Church. He noted that the gates of Hell would never overcome them. Today, 2000 years later, those redeemed by His Blood comprise the Church of which Jesus was speaking. What about His statement that Hell will not overcome the Church?
In the King James Version, the words of verse 18 reads, "prevail against", rather than "overcome". Both versions indicate an ongoing struggle in which the Church will be victorious. But, aren't you glad that we, as Christians, can claim that promise?
You may have
heard the phrase; "Jesus said it. I believe it. That settles
it!". I think a much more accurate way to state it is;
"Jesus said it. That settles it, whether I believe it or not!"
But, how does the Church respond when the nations plot? Paul offered a splendid course of action for the persecuted Church of every age in his letter to Timothy:
"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." 2 Tim 4:2-5
What do we do when the nation's rage? We..
- Preach the Word
- Be prepared to correct, rebuke and encourage
- Keep our head
- Endure hardships
- Do the work of an evangelist
- Discharge all the duties of our ministry
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus. Just Thinkin'.. WebServant
(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible,
New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein
were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe
product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland
Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.
