Steven A. Bush - November 3, 2013
Remember Those In Chains
While the church in America suffers little, the church in numerous nations is suffering horribly, facing harassment, confiscation of property, imprisonment, torture, and even execution. For them, fiery ordeals represent the normal Christian life. Jesus promised persecution for His followers as did many of the Apostles who wrote to us. The author of Hebrews says this in chapter 13:3: "Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (NIV) The word 'remember' should not be seen as a passive word, but rather as one of action. Faithful and fervent prayers, offered on behalf of our brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith, will prove neither impotent nor ineffective. Psalm 79:11 is perhaps a good place to begin our intercession when it says: "Let the groans of the prisoners come before You; according to Your great power, preserve those doomed to die!" (ESV) Therefore let us remember these faithful ones on our knees and lift them before our Lord--as if we were chained right next to them.