VICTORY IN THE FACE OF APPARENT DEFEAT (2)

 VICTORY IN THE FACE OF APPARENT DEFEAT  (2)

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; " 2 Corinthians 4:6,8-9

   "Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire." Daniel 3:26 Bible 

    God's way of doing things is diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive to the world's view. There will always be stiff opposition against promoters of God's righteousness in the world. 

  Jesus Christ said preachers of truth shall hated with some killed by persons who think that by so doing they are pleasing God. It is under such such circumstances that we have the opportunity of seeing the power of God manifested through our victorious faith.

   Shadrach , Meshach and Abednego were condemned to die by incineration by the highest authority in the land for refusing to succumb to a corrupt system of government epitomised by idol worship . 

  The kings decree prescribed a death sentence to anyone who refused to bow to his corrupt god. Imagine being faced with a similar situation were you are told to compromise your faith in God for survival. The truth remains that Satan does not give anything for free. Whatever you get from false religious devotion will cost you your peace with God. You will not enjoy the wealth gotten from error due to the constant fear of losing it . This fears  results in being restless. The corrupt knows no peace. 

  In Christ we find rest even in times of crisis . All fear is gone , haven overcome the fear of death which is Satan's greatest weapon of choice through which many are in bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15). Fear torments. The born again believer has already died and is resurrected in Christ so he does not fear death but sees it as a means to a glorious . "And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power." 1 Corinthians 6:14

  This was the understanding  these three Hebrew boys had  when they said  "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." Daniel 3:17-18

    Those who allow themselves to be intimidated by the fear of death by Satan cannot make good progress in their walk of faith . The more deadly a situation is , the  more profitable are its potential when properly harnessed , example of this is space shuttles with astronauts sitting on tonnes of explosives while fighting gravity and launched in to space .

 God waited for the worst thing to happen before showing up for the Hebrew boys. It may seem we have failed but eventually we shall win. Shadrach , Meshach and Abednego were promoted and succeeded in changing the corrupt system of governance in Babylon. Dan.3:29-30 

 Prayer: Heavenly father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to heal the sick. 

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