12.29.20—The Brotherhood of Christ! – Hebrews 4: 12-16
My friend, may I ask you a question? Can we rest assured that in the coming days and months we will be tempted, and the very metal of our souls will be exposed to Satan’s lies and deception the new year?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day. I’m M. Clifford Brunner
John Hus, the great reformer who preceded Luther by a century had been arrested by the authorities in Prague for preaching “sedition” and “heresy.” He had been thrown into prison after appearing before a papal tribunal and left to await his fate. While in prison, Hus had precious little to occupy his time outside of prayer and reading. His prison room was sparse with but a small table, a chair, a cot and a candle. Day after day he awaited his sentence, certain of the fact that his life would not be spared. He also knew that punishment for those accused and convict- ed of heresy could be but one thing, being burned at the stake. Hus, therefore, knew that his days were definitely numbered. Often as his jailers opened the small shutter on his prison door they would be greeted with a strange sight. The reformer would be sitting at his table, open Bible before him, and passing his right hand through the flame of the candle. He would repeat this countless times. After some time had passed, he would switch to his other hand and begin the process all over again. Eventually both of his hands became burned and blistered. After several days his jailer, curiosity peaked, asked Hus why he would do such a thing. Hus cooly responded that he “was preparing himself for what must ultimately be my fate.” Hus knew that in all things a Christian must be faithful, even unto death. Thus vigilant, he was able to face his execution with expectation, the expectation that even flames could not conquer his unwavering faith in the truth of Holy Scriptures.
The fact of the matter is, you can rest assured that in the coming days and months that will follow the turn of the year, you will be tempted, and the very metal of your soul will be exposed to Satan’s lies and deception sometime during the course of the coming New Year. As certain as Hus was that flames would consume his body, we can be as certain that, in the coming year, the flames of Satan’s cunning and deceit will be brought to bear against us. Only vigilance and constancy will serve to keep us prepared for that day. Martin Luther wrote, “And you, who come after us, pray too with great earnestness, preaching and teaching the Word of God with diligence. Keep God’s little lantern alight. Take heed to the warning, be prepared, for you must expect at any moment that the devil may knock out a window-pane, or tear open roof and door, so that he may blow out the light.” (Faithful and earnest warning to the devout and God-fearing hearts. W.A. 48. 226)
May each of us keep the little lantern light of our faith always in front, on the table of our lives before us. Passing our hands through the flames, feeling the warmth and the sting of its consequence, so that we might be prepared for its application in our lives in the months and days ahead. God will surely call us to defend it in the coming year. There will be times when that defense will be painful, perhaps even deadly. But, for those who are prepared, thus vigilant, our faith will be sustained and our crosses borne confidently until the end.
We pray. Heavenly Father. Heavenly Father, we praise you that You have sustained us through another year. Now, as the shadows of this year pass and the hope of tomorrow beckons, remind us that there will be days when we must defend our faith with all our power and all our metal. Thanks be to Jesus, that He has given us the ability to stand fast! In His Name we pray. Amen! We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to "This Passing Day!"
<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.