KEEP PRESSING ON!
Have you ever noticed how many times in the Bible God urges His followers to be courageous? Along with the exhortations, He usually gives a promise of His sustaining grace. Look in Deuteronomy 31 where God uses Moses, the stalwart hero of the faith, to commission young Joshua to carry on in his place. Moses was quite elderly at the time, having faithfully led the people of God for many years. His work was about finished and Joshua’s was ready to commence. In verses 7 and 8 we read, Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, He it is that doth go before you; He will be with you, He will not fail you, neither forsake you: fear not, neither be dismayed. Joshua responded to the call and, like Moses, fearlessly led God’s people to victory.
We should realize that just as God challenged Joshua through Moses to take a courageous stand, He has challenged us through the Apostle Paul. In Philippians 1:27-28, we are told to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. All of us have adversaries of one kind or another. Whatever is a source of irritation to us is our adversary. Satan does all in his power to plague us with adversaries in an attempt to hinder our testimony for Christ. Paul says we are to stand fast . . . and in nothing terrified by our adversary. We are not to worry about the problem, but face it realistically without fear, realizing that there are no limits to the power of God. Our reaction to our adversary should be as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
What does it mean to stand fast in the faith? It means to depend on Jesus Christ completely. It involves spending adequate time with the Lord in prayer, knowing that He is our source of strength. It also means that we shall not fear, but with perfect confidence say to ourselves over and over again, “God is able.” We must not only say this but also believe it, because He is able. Ephesians 3:20 says He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.
We who are children of God have the Holy Spirit within us and have full access to His power. The adversary cannot match this power. God tells us victories are won not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit (Zechariah 4:6). We don’t win victories with ability or force. The Holy Spirit is the conqueror. Since our lives are under His control, there is no adversary that can defeat us. For this reason, we should not fear but be courageous for the Lord.
It is said that for many years Spain was without religious freedom. The day came, however, when the situation changed. A Spanish evangelist had been asked to speak to 2,000 men. He was given the liberty to speak about anything he chose, with the exception of religion. He was told if he spoke about religion, he would be stoned. He accepted the engagement. When it came time to speak, he stood and said boldly, “I have been told that if I speak on religion, you will stone me. Well, get your stones ready, for as a believer in Jesus Christ, I cannot speak about anything else.” Then he gave his testimony of how God through Christ had changed his life and made him a new man. The audience sat spellbound for over an hour. When he finished, after a few seconds of silence, there was a roar of applause. Yes, God is able. We must be courageous and fearless for Christ.
I was saved at the age of 21. Shortly after my conversion, I read in the newspaper about the martyrdom of a young couple in China by the name of John and Betty Stam. I recall the thoughts that went through my mind as a young Christian, wondering why God allowed such a tragedy. These were His children, who loved Him, and sought to obey Him; and yet, they were slain by the Chinese communists.
Sometime later, I read a book that had been written about the lives of John and Betty Stam and what a blessing it was. My question was answered as I realized that here were two young people who followed God step by step. Their martyrdom was for the glory of God. One of them had written this poem.
Afraid of What?
Afraid? Of what?
To feel the Spirit’s glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid - of that?
Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Savior’s face,
To hear His welcome and to trace
The glory gleam from wounds of grace?
Afraid – of that?
Afraid? Of what?
A flash, a crash, a pierced heart;
Darkness, light, O Heaven’s art!
Afraid – of that?
Afraid? Of what?
To do by death what life could not –
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid – of that?
Following the martyrdom of John and Betty Stam, scores of young people offered themselves for the mission field. This event, termed by the world as tragic, had a profound affect on the church, the body of Christ. It is true: the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.
God may cause some of us to die at the hands of our adversaries. You may have been suffering so long because of your adversary that you would be willing to die right now. But remember, you belong to God. You are His. And, as a child of God, you have work to do. God may not deliver you from your adversary until your work is done. But one thing is sure. In His own time, in His own way, God will give deliverance. So don’t complain. Don’t fret. Be courageous.
I read in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. If you are fearful in the face of your adversary, Satan gave you that fear, not God. God gives peace and confidence.
How much of the New Testament do you think we would have if God’s servants had been fearful of their adversaries? They endured hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. They were not willing to give up. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:12-13, Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. He and the other disciples had every reason to quit; but they kept pressing on in the power of God.
In our ministry, we hear from wives who write and tell us of their ungodly husbands who are failing to be what a good husband should be. Men write and tell us of their wives who are failing in their responsibilities in the home. What should these people do? Try to get out of that situation as soon as they can? No. They need to keep in mind that we have a miracle-working God. They should not give up, but keep pressing on. God hasn’t forgotten them and He never will.
At all times, whoever or whatever our adversary is, we must be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Don’t fear. God loves us; and His hand is not shortened, that it cannot save. Rather than allow your adversary to be a victor over you, accept it to be a challenge. With full commitment and surrender to Jesus Christ, trust Him to win the battle.
If you are not sure you know Christ, get that settled before you do anything else. Call on Him. Tell Him you want to be saved and that you want Him to live in and through you. I guarantee you, He will enter your life and cleanse you from all sin, and will give you the wisdom and strength you need to face your adversary.
J. Allen Blair
Thanking each of you for your cards and letters honoring us on our Wedding Anniversary and Dr. Blair's 92nd birthday.
Elva and Allen Blair