TEXT: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you" (Isaiah 43:1,2 NKJV).
How can this be? When Paul was in jail he wrote Timothy, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God (2 Timothy 1:8). He was not Rome’s prisoner he was God’s, and they could not kill him because Paul was already dead in Christ (Romans 8:10). That was the call of Paul and it should be ours as well.
Safety isn't found in the absence of danger, but in the presence of God. The church is the called out and persecution is a privilege of that calling. The Holy Spirit will provide the anointing, power and wisdom to handle any situation with courage when we have resolved in our own mind to stand strong regardless of the circumstances. This can be seen in the promise of Jesus, who states, “Therefore be resolved not to rehearse ahead of time how to make your defense. For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” (Luke 21:14,15 NET)
Interestingly, we are also commanded to have the courage to “hold fast” when others in the congregation leave as happened to the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 1:13-18. It is noteworthy that Onesiphorus provided refreshment and encouragement to his spiritual authority, Paul, during that time.
Calvary Chapel of Richmond is a local fellowship of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our supreme desire is to know Christ and be conformed to His image by the power of the Holy Spirit through the continuous study and application of God's Word.
