Most Christians trust that they know how they’ll respond in situations that challenge their faith in Christ. I know I do! I also know of the many faults and shortcomings we have as human beings. And though others may not know or see them, oh, the Lord is acutely aware of them. It is my sincere belief that everyone reading this message has a strong desire to walk upright in the sight of God and wants to make it to heaven even though we are still living in this temporary wretched place yet a little while longer having to endure its trials and tribulations. But we have been warned to be strong and courageous, regardless of our challenges: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1: 9)
And so, dear ones, this message is intended to encourage and hopefully influence each one of us to examine our personal walk with the Creator of heaven and earth and all that therein is. We are taught to search and study the scriptures to learn the ways of the Lord. This is so true and vital today because of the barrage of ugliness and deceit that is in this world ranging from the politics to the pulpits. 1 John 4: 1 tells us, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world”.
The Word of God is our anchor of truth. The Holy Bible, and all other material that agrees with and supports its contents, is for our edification and growth as Christians. The Lord has inspired me to reference some of this supporting material to illustrate a wonderful spiritual truth. This material is from a group of writings called the Apocrypha. They are not considered inspired or authoritative, but like other reference material we may utilize for scriptural study, they do contain information of historical and geographical significance, provides insight into cultural norms and context to events recorded in the Bible.
Keeping this in mind, please allow me to present an account from the Book of 2nd Maccabees which details the events surrounding a Mother and her seven sons who did not waver in their stance for God. There is a beautiful parallel drawn between this family’s experience and descriptions in the Bible about the trials of recognized heroes of faith such as Moses at the Red Sea, Daniel in the Lion’s Den and the Hebrew Boys in the Fiery Furnace.
During Jesus' earthly ministry He warned us that during the end times "they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake..... and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake." (Luke 21: 12, 16-17) But He also encouraged us to "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2: 10)
As you read, notice the references to a coming resurrection. One must ask oneself, where did they get that from? Also notice the strong conviction this Mother had about being loyal to God, no matter what the circumstance, as she was given the boldness to show no weakness or fear of man as described in Matthew 10: 28: “And fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Here is their story: 1 It came to pass also, that seven brethren with their mother were taken, and compelled by the king against the law to taste swine's flesh and were tormented with scourges and whips. 2 But one of them that spake first said thus, “What wouldest thou ask or learn of us? We are ready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of our fathers.” 3 Then the king, being in a rage, commanded pans and caldrons to be made hot: 4 Which forthwith being heated, he commanded to cut out the tongue of him that spake first, and to cut off the utmost parts of his body, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on. 5 Now when he was thus maimed in all his members, he commanded him being yet alive to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the pan: and as the vapour of the pan was for a good space dispersed, they exhorted one another with the mother to die manfully, saying thus, 6 “The Lord God looketh upon us, and in truth hath comfort in us, as Moses in his song, which witnessed to their faces, declared, saying, And He shall be comforted in His servants.”
7 So when the first was dead after this number, they brought the second to make him a mocking stock: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him, “Wilt thou eat, before thou be punished throughout every member of thy body?” 8 But he answered in his own language, and said, “No.” Wherefore he also received the next torment in order, as the former did. 9 And when he was at the last gasp, he said, “Thou like a fury takest us out of this present life, but the King of the world shall raise us up, who have died for His laws, unto everlasting life.”
10 After him was the third made a mocking stock: and when he was required, he put out his tongue, and that right soon, holding forth his hands manfully. 11 And said courageously, “These I had from heaven; and for His laws I despise them; and from Him I hope to receive them again.” 12 Insomuch that the king, and they that were with him, marveled at the young man's courage, for that he nothing regarded the pains.
13 Now when this man was dead also, they tormented and mangled the fourth in like manner. 14 So when he was ready to die, he said thus, “It is good, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God to be raised up again by Him: as for thee, thou shalt have no resurrection to life.”
15 Afterward they brought the fifth also and mangled him. 16 Then looked he unto the king, and said, “Thou hast power over men, thou art corruptible, thou doest what thou wilt; yet think not that our nation is forsaken of God; 17 But abide a while, and behold His great power, how He will torment thee and thy seed.”
18 After him also they brought the sixth, who being ready to die said, ”Be not deceived without cause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned against our God: therefore, marvelous things are done unto us. 19 But think not thou, that takest in hand to strive against God, that thou shalt escape unpunished.”
20 But the mother was marvelous above all, and worthy of honorable memory: for when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day, she bares it with a good courage, because of the hope that she had in the Lord. 21 Yea, she exhorted every one of them in her own language, filled with courageous spirits; and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly stomach, she said unto them, 22 “I cannot tell how ye came into my womb: for I neither gave you breath nor life, neither was it I that formed the members of every one of you; 23 But doubtless the Creator of the world, Who formed the generation of man, and found out the beginning of all things, will also of His own mercy give you breath and life again, as ye now regard not your own selves for His laws' sake.”
24 Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and suspecting it to be a reproachful speech, whilst the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with oaths, that he would make him both a rich and a happy man, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers; and that also he would take him for his friend, and trust him with affairs. 25 But when the young man would in no case hearken unto him, the king called his mother, and exhorted her that she would counsel the young man to save his life. 26 And when he had exhorted her with many words, she promised him that she would counsel her son.
27 But she bowing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language on this manner; “O my son, have pity upon me that bare thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee such three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age, and endured the troubles of education. 28 I beseech thee, my son, look upon the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, and consider that God made them of things that were not; and so was mankind made likewise. 29 Fear not this tormentor, but, being worthy of thy brethren, take thy death that I may receive thee again in mercy with thy brethren.”
30Whiles she was yet speaking these words, the young man said, “Whom wait ye for? I will not obey the king's commandment: but I will obey the commandment of the law that was given unto our fathers by Moses. 31 And thou, that hast been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not escape the hands of God. 32 For we suffer because of our sins. 33 And though the living Lord be angry with us a little while for our chastening and correction, yet shall He be at one again with His servants. 34 But thou, O godless man, and of all other most wicked, be not lifted up without a cause, nor puffed up with uncertain hopes, lifting up thy hand against the servants of God: 35 For thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of Almighty God, Who seeth all things. 36 For our brethren, who now have suffered a short pain, are dead under God's covenant of everlasting life: but thou, through the judgment of God, shalt receive just punishment for thy pride. 37 But I, as my brethren, offer up my body and life for the laws of our fathers, beseeching God that He would speedily be merciful unto our nation; and that thou by torments and plagues mayest confess, that He alone is God; 38 And that in me and my brethren the wrath of the Almighty, which is justly brought upon our nation, may cease.”
39 Then the king being in a rage, handed him worse than all the rest, and took it grievously that he was mocked. 40 So this man died undefiled and put his whole trust in the Lord. 41 Last of all after the sons the mother died. 42 Let this be enough now to have spoken concerning the idolatrous feasts, and the extreme tortures.
Dear ones, every time I ponder on that exchange between the Mother and the youngest boy, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the Lord’s presence giving comfort to the Mother teaching her sons to not bow down to the wiles and assaults of demonic spirits. As the Book of Wisdom says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. (Proverbs 22: 6) It was evident in their objection what these boys had against eating pork/swine, even if it was to save their life. Their boldness in the Lord waxed even stronger as they observed their loved ones being tortured. Their faith became so strong that they even stopped waiting for their punishment and one freely stuck his tongue and hands out to be taken.
Take notice in how the Lord was ministering to them as they continuously spoke about being resurrected. Now how did they know that? Who told them that? As the Mother told her sons to die like men in verse 5, how many of us could continue serving the Lord while watching our children being brutalized in such a savage manner? How many of us get bent out of shape when we think someone has spoken negatively about us? How many of us allow unchristian things to go on in our home without addressing it? How many of us can’t take correction from the brethren? How many of us ________? You fill in the blank. I could go on and on but here is the point brothers and sisters, we all need to examine ourselves daily for we know not when the Lord will return.
I pray that we refrain from engaging or participating in the worldly mess that we find ourselves. We cannot allow anything to separate us from God, because it can’t. The only thing that can separate us from God is us! “For I am persuaded, that neither death , nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God , which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. (Romans 8: 38-39)
We can’t get so comfortable that we allow things to slide because that is how many in the world are doing it. We will be pressed not just by strangers but also by our loved ones, no matter who they are. I was once told by Sister Claudine (my grandmother), that I was her enemy. I was a young knucklehead in the 80’s and did not understand what she meant. She said she loved me, but I was still her enemy. If she were alive today, I would have the honor and privilege of not just calling her my grandmother but more importantly my friend. Thanks be to God and all the prayers of the saints that were offered for this troubled young man.
I will close with this, beloved ones, and that is to lovingly suggest that you go to your quiet place to examine your walk. This is not to call anybody out, but to call all of us out. Let me be clear, this is about life and death. Either we choose life, or we choose death! Do we still have that fire in our belly for the Lord? Do we still hunger and thirst after righteousness? If not, ask yourself why not? Matthew 5: 13 reminds us, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted ? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and be trodden under foot of men”. There is nothing left for Jesus to do but return and He even warns us in Matthew 24: 36 that no one knows when that time will be. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only”.
I pray this has provoked you to stop and do some good spiritual reflection as we all need to. I love you and want to spend eternity in heaven with you. I desire to see the saints of old and, by the grace of God, I have that unwavering courage like the Mother and her seven sons in these passages. I might suffer all kinds of ugliness here on earth, I might lose friends, family, jobs, money, body parts, aches and pains, my good name, etc. I might be the last one in the gate, but if I get in it’ll all be worth it. “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Revelation 7: 13-17)
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: For He bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, He layeth it low; He layeth it low, even to the ground; He bringeth it even to the dust. The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. The way of the just is uprightness: Thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Yea, in the way of Thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for Thee; the desire of our soul is to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee. With my soul have I desired Thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek Thee early: for when Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isaiah 26: 3-9)
God bless, stay focused, stay committed and keep believing that His grace is sufficient, because He said so!
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