There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD (for it is they who trust in the name of the LORD).
Zephaniah 3:12
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
If any of you are going through trying times – maybe even for decades – I can tell you right now this is the type of rigorous, repetitive, seeming monotonous training God uses for making His servants, His leaders – those who will never flinch when called into battle – even in the face of death.
These are the ones the devil fears most. These are the ones now filled with the perfect love that casts out satan’s fear. With the help of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, they’ve made the journey from fear to love’s faith and are now equipped with the secret to set other fearful ones free.
In Heavenly places, you’ve been counted worthy of affliction. But remember that in God’s hands, affliction produces humble yet precise servant-commanders of the hosts of God.
Your training is not in vain. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. This holy training is being used to so tune your soul’s ear to the Master’s voice that the interrupting, enticing, sounds of the world are no longer considered (James 4:7).
Your preparation will be used to point out and to deliver many from the lies and snares of the enemy. Your life’s training will be used to set many free in Jesus’ Name. I promise you…and them.
Now, you’ve been entrusted with “the way to escape.”
Into battles, you will carry the Heavenly love banner, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all!”
Enduring, patiently, the training while all the time being more and more filled with the precious, inestimable fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance – learn all you can now.
Then, at that time when nothing else matters in life any more, you’ll be able to truly wait on and rest in the Lord. His call, His reward for your allegiance, will come. It will not tarry because there is great need for the perfect love that casts out fear, perfectly- loved one.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 12:11b
For the souls of the Kingdom…
God bless,
Mark