I have been surrounded by the thoughts of martyrs since I was 16 years old.  Engaged with Brother Andrew and Corrie Ten Boom‘s renditions of his exploits.  Signed up to join Far East Broadcasting Company before it was safe to preach the gospel in China.  My heart goes out to the persecuted Church.

I will be a part of that church someday, even though I live in Canada.  Actually, I can probably say I have entered into the realm, but not personally.  The writing is on the wall so to speak.

With those thoughts in my mind, I have encountered two thoughts, maybe three.

Persecution is coming and when it comes, it comes at the will of God.  As the story of Job goes, so goes the story of the persecuted Church.  We have to be at a place where we really understand this portion of scripture for if we do not, we might not make it through.

When the time of evil comes upon the earth and everyone is turning to worship it – the only ones who will not are those who name has been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain.  My name was written in this incredibly important book before the foundation of the world…your name too if you are a follower of Jesus. I can’t tell you how I feel about this as I can say that I have not heard of this before – actually what I can tell you is how I feel, just not what to think about it and how that relates to my walk with God.  He really does know me, really does love me, has an incredible stake in me making it through to the end as a committed follower.

He knows that it will be so difficult to see authority given to another to make war against the saints and to even conquer them.  So much so that He places out a special call to us – a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

Lord, my walk with you has taken a different turn today.  I walk with my friend today, my sustainer, the One who knows the road that lays before me.  I am strengthened by that walk, knowing that you really do know me and knowing that I will need you to ensure my walk is steady and sure.  May the saints lamps be filled with oil and may we have extra knowing that such a day is before us.  I accept the call for endurance and faith and I can only do so because You walk with me. Thank you for not only making the call, but making it so that I can accept it.

Andrew Murray – Faith And Its Power Of Endurance 

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• How Should We Pray? Suffering in Trials and Persecution, The Way To Endure (vineoflifenews.com)
• Pray for Persecuted Christians (exegete77.wordpress.com)