When You Pray, When You Are Under Fire

When You Pray, When You Are Under Fire
by David Brenneman

"But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.  I was crying to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.  I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.  I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about.  Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.  Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah." Psalms 3:3-8.

The truth of life for all Believer's is that you're going to go through many types of trials and tribulations in order to enter into the rest that's available only in Heaven.  Acts 14:22.

We shouldn't be surprised as we read that it says:  "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." 1 Peter 4:12-13.

Keeping these things in mind:
"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4.

And then:

"Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.  For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.  But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.  So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.  Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:5-17.

We CAN, through Christ who strengthens us, combat what the world and Satan's schemes drum up against us.  We most certainly should keep in mind we will NOT be immune to trials and the tribulations that are SUPPOSED to come upon us for our need is great to become purified in Christ to become more like Christ. 

We are, likely, hardly scratching the surface of our need for sanctification in Christ.  We are all different and on differing levels of growth in Christ.  We ought to be making it our goal in life to set our goals as being what Jesus wants for us rather than anything that anyone says otherwise.

So keep in mind you SHOULD be going through various trials and tribulations.  If you aren't, most certainly ask Jesus about it since His Word says that is the path we take to Heaven and His presence.

It's also how we are in Christ before others that shows them just what a victorious life in Christ looks like.

Temptations come to everyone, both the saved and the unsaved alike.  How we deal with them as followers of Jesus Christ shows where our hearts are.

What Paul wrote of in Ephesians 6 about the whole armor of God wasn't an optional suggestion meant only for 'front line' people in serving God.  Newsflash: EVERYONE who is saved in Christ Jesus IS on the front lines in spiritual warfare.  That whole armor of God is for everyone to be in at all times. 

Many in this world who are Christians, whether new or long-time, as fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ are surprised when various things happen to them. 

While we live, we should expect them. As my Saturday Morning Men's Group leader is fond of reminding us: God has no problems, only situations.

You too WILL and SHOULD have situations in your life.  They're meant to grow you with respect to your salvation.  You face what YOU do when you do because WHAT you face the Lord’s prepared for you because in this here this now you're ready for it.  You may not think so, you may question it extensively, but you're ready for what He's allowed you to experience. 

Remember, my fellow Believers, everything we face in life has to be approved by our Savior and Lord before it gets to us.  We are in His hands. 

It's incredibly difficult at times to remember that.  In the moment we forget a lot of things. 

Just hold onto the truths of the promises of God in Christ Jesus.

There's no way that you can review your life and find a single instance of Jesus ever failing you by not keeping His promises to you.

When we pray, be thankful for what you are going through in your life.  Let it draw you closer to Jesus.  Remember He's allowing what you're experiencing to give you the opportunity to love Him even more.  Never to push you away.

And it's perfectly alright if none of what you are going through makes any sense at all. 

A very absolute truth is if God leads you to it, He will see you through it.

The Lord lead the children of Israel through all that Pharaoh did to them in His judgments.  He didn't lead them to the Red Sea to abandon them to die.  He split the sea and lead them through on dry ground.  Not even damp ground.  Not soggy ground.  Dry ground.  To the last detail they were cared for in their salvation from Pharaoh.

We will not be abandoned in whatever we go through in life by our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

Be sure to thank Him when next you pray!

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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