Some people believe that just because you say you are a Christian or that because you have God in your life that things should be easy for you. That the things you want and pray for should come easily to you, but that hasn't been my experience, nor has that been the experiences of the heroes that I read about in the Bible. Abraham did not immediately have a son after God promised him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, no, instead God made Abraham wait. And not only did he have to wait but Abraham faced situations that probably made him wonder if God would ever fulfill His promise to give Abraham the son he desired and the legacy he was promised. The same can be said for David who was anointed king over Israel by Samuel while Saul was still king. David actually served in Saul's house and married Saul's daughter in his waiting to become king over Israel and see the fulfillment of his promise, but I am sure as Saul had sons and they had sons David probably had moments where he wondered if what Samuel said was right, especially when Saul started hunting him down. So I am not sure how the idea of being a Christian became one of ease, comfort, and receiving all the desires of the world, because that isn't what the Word describes.
From my experience of being a Christian I have struggled with temptations, sometimes winning, sometimes losing. I have been made to wait for promises or prayers to be answered, usually to the point of wanting to give up entirely before anything changes. There have been seasons of miracles and blessings, and seasons of silence where I am forced to go deeper in search of His presence. Being a Christian has gotten me verbally attacked by people here on G+ and in life too. I have had family say some of the most hurtful things of all. I have been laughed at and gossiped about behind my back by co-workers for my beliefs, and I have had people trying to draw me out into disputes in attempts to discredit the changes in me. And honestly, I would endure more than this for my savior, this is a light burden I have gone through compared to those giving their lives for Him, or what He did for us on that cross.
Does the Bible promise that the Lord will give us the desires of our hearts, yes it's found at Psalm 37:4-5; but people often forget that the other side to this is that we were warned of persecutions as well and often throughout the Bible. Will He hear us if we pray for things and our heart is His, yes, but life as a real Christian isn't about getting everything you want and its not living like the world. Jesus said in John 15:18-21 that if the world hated Him it will also hate us, if the world persecuted Him so would it us. And this was proven to be true in the way the early Christians were hunted and killed by the Romans, and Christians are still being persecuted in other countries around the world today. The life of a true disciple isn't an easy one, it isn't a life where you get everything you want, where you are super popular with everyone, and never run into any troubles at all. There is not one story I have read in the Bible to back that. Everyone suffered in some way or fashion, and God delivered them all from it.
Did some of them end up with big houses and fortunes, yes both of the early kings of Israel, Saul and David, were lifted out of lowly places into the position of king. Gideon was lifted out of poverty to become a leader and judge over Israel. Ruth was a poor Moabite widow barely surviving with her mother-in-law before the Lord put Boaz in her path and Job came out of his troubles with twice what he lost, but they all suffered despite their faith. Daniel was thrown into a lion's den because of his faith. Shadrach, Meshach and Abdenago were thrown into a oven for refusing to disobey God's laws. Stephen, a disciple of Christ, was stoned to death for his faith, and Peter was crucified upside down for refusing to denounce Yeshua. They suffered for their faith, proving their commitment to the Lord by how they walked and refusing to give in to the pressures of their king or the most powerful nation in the world at this time. And why? Not for their own glory, not for some worldly thing, but because they knew it was more important to serve God than themselves, it was more important to do His will than to live in ease. Having faith, being a Christian, it is not an easy road paved with gold and glittery objects. It's a straight and narrow path paved with the blood, sweat, and tears of the martyrs and saints who came before us. It is a difficult journey but not one we must take alone because our Savior has made the way for us and takes each step with us.
Today, I hope I have stirred you to look deeply at your walk, which path are you on? What are your true heart motives in serving God, is it the road of gold or the narrow path? Are you willing to still call yourself a Christian if it means giving up the things of this world? Be blessed...
Proverbs 29:27
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
Isaiah 35:8
And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.
Amos 5:10
They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth.
Matthew 7:13-14
13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 10:22
And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Luke 13:24
"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
Revelation 2:3
I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.
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