The Communist prison of Jilava was especially harsh. The broken windows let in the bitter winter cold. Some of the prisoners had even frozen to death. There was no sympathy for Christians at Jilava. In fact, they often endured “special” beatings from the cruel guards.
One of the new prisoners, Archmandrite Ghiush, was a pastor in the city of Liberty, Romania. As Archmandrite anxiously looked around his new “home,” he noticed a familiar face—a man who had served with him in Liberty. It was Pastor Richard Wurmbrand. “How could he still be alive?” Archmandrite wondered. “No one has heard from him in nearly eight years.” The two faithful pastors embraced. Archmandrite smiled, grateful for an old friend to help him through the horrific sufferings he was about to endure.
But Pastor Wurmbrand did not smile. He felt saddened to see such a fine pastor in prison. He began to worry about him. Would he survive the cold and the cruel treatment? Would he go mad, as others had done? After eight years in prison, Wurmbrand knew what was to come.
The two friends sat silently for a while. Finally Richard broke the tension and softly asked, “Are you sad?” To his amazement Archmandrite simply replied, “Brother, I know only one sadness: That is not being fully given to Jesus.”
It is difficult to read the true stories of Christian martyrs without feeling emotionally drained. The natural reaction is one of sadness and a sense of pity for the innocent who died such horrific deaths. However, the heroes and heroines of the stories would wish for an altogether different response. They hoped their sacrifices would inspire others toward like-hearted commitment, not pity. Certainly, their deaths touch our hearts. But the realization of our own paltry faith ought to break our hearts in two. That is truly sad. Are you challenged beyond earthly sympathy towards repentance for your own complacency? Do you have a divine sense of determination as a result of your reading? Ask God to stir your resolve to live for him today.
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Star777, I believe the Bible says we suffer because we are to become like Jesus in His suffering, for the sake of His Body--meaning that the more the elect suffer, the more honor and glory the elect will have in the Kingdom and the more Jesus will be exalted. We also suffer trials at the hands of Satanic forces because we are being perfected through sufferings, as Jesus was, and in doing so our faith and character will develop through perseverance in patient prayer for deliverance. All things work out for the good of those who love God, it's just that some things are more painful than others--but those are more worthwhile. Jesus suffered immeasurably on the cross, but His reward was the salvation of all of reality--how much less will we suffer than Him, and how much less deserving of reward are we than Him? So let us do all things in the will of God, including suffering, without grumbling or complaining, for He is a faithful and just high priest who will intercede on our behalf WHEN we fall short (we are "grieved by various trials" because the Lord knows we're going to fail most of them. But that doesn't stop Him from hoping we won't, and allowing Satan to come back at us again. We just need to remember the basics when we question the rightness of any decision by our God: "Be still, and know that I am God."
Posted by: Vishuddhajna Jade | June 06, 2013 at 05:59 PM
why GOD let The Chosen suffers in this world ?
what purpose of GOD let The Chosen suffers in this world ?
why GOD let evils do evils to The Chosen suffers in this world ?
what purpose of GOD let evils do evils to The Chosen suffers in this world ?
Posted by: STAR777 | May 28, 2013 at 09:30 AM