Thoughts for another day

Sept. 26, 2012.

Today's verse: 2 Tim. 3:12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Make no mistake about it, our Scripture is true for all who want to lead lives pleasing to our God.  And when you live a life pleasing to Him, you're walking the narrow path; so there'll be obstacles and difficulties from which there's no escape as there's no room and you've got to go through them, unlike the broad road where you can flit here and there and side-step them.

But living a life pleasing to the Lord, mentioned as 'living godly in Jesus Christ' in our Scripture is very pleasurable and delightful.  The joys of that life are so wonderful that even when you're in deep distress, the joy in your heart is overflowing.  I remember when Sadhu Sundar Singh, a man ferociously in love with God, was tortured in a unique way in Nepal for preaching Christ: His clothes were removed and leeches were then dropped all over his body, and leeches can behave as only they can, suck the blood out of you, he started singing and praising God.  The policeman thought he was mad, but then realised that here was something greater than the common man and he was released soon after. 

So also there're many others who suffer but don't resist it because they're aware of God's fabulous ways of intervening as they lead godly lives and know Him personally.  We may not be anywhere close to living godly lives, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't begin, for there has to be a beginning somewhere and in that beginning, we'll see Him closely as He leads us in life – the Chief and Good Shepherd leading His flock.  Then we'll realise that He is taking us to awe-inspiring, verdant pasture and along refreshing waters. He restores our spirit to be full of life; it's only then, that we live.