August 13, 2024
What do you do to people who don’t care what you do to them? They are an unstoppable force. Whether it’s in a storm or persecution or a trial or tragedy, they continue on in quiet dependence upon the Lord.
They know that their destiny is not here, their treasures not on this earth. You can take anything from them and they are unaffected for they have greater possessions. You can do anything to them, and they can quietly trust their souls to a faithful Creator and do what is right. And their witness is undeniable.
IN FACE OF HARSH TREATMENT
This is why Peter tells the believers in his day, who were under persecution from the Roman government, to do the opposite of what people would normally do when persecuted.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. (1 Peter 2:13-17)
The believer does not have to right every personal wrong done to him in this world. The day of perfect justice is coming from a perfect Judge. We must be willing to suffer for a greater purpose, just as Christ did who “while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23).
IN FACE OF GREAT STORMS
This brand of true faith weathers any injustice or any storm. John Wesley thought he was a Christian and had come from England to America. But he did not possess real Christianity. But he saw it in a group of Moravian believers in the midst of a storm at sea on the way back to England.
Sunday, January 25, 1736
At noon our third storm began. At four it was more violent than before. At seven I went to the Germans. I had long before observed the great seriousness of their behavior. Of their humility they had given a continual proof by performing those servile offices for the other passengers, which none of the English would undertake; for which they desired and would receive no pay, saying, "it was good for their proud hearts," and "their loving Saviour had done more for them." And every day had given them an occasion of showing a meekness which no injury could move. If they were pushed, struck, or thrown down, they rose again and went away; but no complaint was found in their mouth. There was now an opportunity of trying whether they were delivered from the spirit of fear, as well as from that of pride, anger and revenge.
In the midst of the psalm wherewith their service began, the sea broke over, split the mainsail in pieces, covered the ship, and poured in between the decks, as if the great deep had already swallowed us up. A terrible screaming began among the English. The Germans calmly sang on. I asked one of them afterward, "Were you not afraid?" He answered, "I thank God, no." I asked, "But were not your women and children afraid?" He replied, mildly, "No; our women and children are not afraid to die."[1]
Wesley returned to England, found a group of Moravians, and came to genuine faith in Christ. He became one of the greatest voices for revival that God used in his generation.
Quiet Christians—in face of great turmoil—calmly singing on.
ARE YOU SINGING ON?
Are you trusting in the One who holds you securely in His hands no matter what comes? It is a beautifully disturbing picture for those who watch.
[1] Quoted by J.D. Walt in “The Wake-Up Call,” August 13, 2024
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