“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” — Revelation 2:10
Last year, at a pastor’s conference, we watched the Tortured for Christ movie. This powerful film told the story of pastor Richard Wurmbrand (1909-2001). He was a Romanian pastor who endured 14 years of Communist imprisonment and suffering for his faith. The torture scenes made the movie difficult to watch. However, his courage and example were astonishing.
The Communists took control of Romania in 1945 and for three years, Wurmbrand worked as part of the secret church. In addition to strengthening Believers, he even ministered to the invading socialist soldiers. Eventually, he was arrested; while in prison, his feet were so badly beaten that he was never able to walk normally again.
Prepare
How do you prepare for that level of suffering? There is a clue in Wurmbrand’s story. He was arrested on February 29,1948, on the streets of Bucharest. The police pulled him into a car, pointed a gun at him and drove him to their headquarters. In the arrest scene, Wurmbrand asked his captors what the date was. They thought it was an odd question because they didn’t know he had been preparing for that day. Wurmbrand had known that imprisonment and suffering awaited him. Therefore, he had memorized Bible verses related to “not fearing” and those Bible verses corresponded to different dates of the month. Certainly, Wurmbrand’s example is powerful and convicting.
You might be suffering now or suffering might be in your future. Maybe you are lonely, discouraged, stressed, or tempted? Or, maybe you need hope, peace, encouragement, or forgiveness? Above all, hiding God’s Word deep in your heart helps prepare you for whatever God has planned for your life.
Preparing,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor