Daily Devotion

Bloodied But Unbowed

 

"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed."  2 Corinthians 4:8-9

 

God never ceases to amaze me.  Tonight I had the favor to watch the most powerful testimony I've seen in a while.  You see we all go through things--willingly and unwillingly.  We experience things at our own hands and at the hands of others.  Sometimes we inflict these troubles upon our selves or we appear to be the target of a random act of violence.  Sometimes we faithfully endure these situations hoping and praying that God will miraculously deliver us from the oppression that we are experiencing while at other times we muster that last bit of courage and make whatever decisions God instructs to turn the situation around.  But most times, we do not ever leave the battle unscathed.

 

Bloodied but unbowed...taken from a very inspirational poem; now taking an additional meaning because of the scriptures above.  Everyone who followed Jesus' teachings during this time was persecuted.  Having had the favor to see what they lived in while trying to spread the message, I am humbled and truly know what they mean.(I went to Turkey in 2006 and in Cappadocia are the Underground Caves that made the Underground City where the persecuted Christians lived.)  Nowhere in the Bible does it say that life will be pain free; in fact, it often says the exact opposite.  As Christians we will suffer.  But we must not give up and surrender our power to the enemy.  We must not succumb to the attacks he brings against us.  Why?  Because Jesus already defeated Satan.  Our job at this point is to glorify God by keeping the faith.  Keep on believing and being steadfast.  Do not bow in defeat.  We are not crushed!  We are not driven to despair.  We are not destroyed.

 

'"Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.'  John 15:20

 

Here is the link from the video and I most definitely think you should look at it and give God all the glory.

 

http://www.tbn.org/watch/files/index.php?file=2010_8_3_300k.wmv&show=85
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"No weapon formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of God and their righteousness is of me," says the Lord.  Isaiah 54:17