Warriors Arise: March 17, 2022
Philippians 2:13 (NKJV) for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Historians have no answer as to why the cargo ship, upon which Patrick gained passage, was abandoned on the shores of France. However, several site that they were wandering for 28 days. Everyone was starving and taunting Patrick that he should pray for them. After Patrick led led them in a prayer of confession of sin and profession of the Lord, a herd of pigs passed by. They ate their fill of pork.
Philippians 4:19-20 (NKJV) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Patrick experienced another period of captivity. Thankfully, this one was not 6 years but historians do not have a time frame for it. The most difficult part of captivity is that we generally do not know how long it is going to last, because it tends to last longer than what we think. Something in us, has to keep faith alive. In order to put up with the terrible conditions we have to believe that we will make it out. On the flip side, the best news is that we know God is with us and He is working things out for our good.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
How would you respond if you had been taken captive a second time? All you want to do is get home, see your parents, and have life return to some type of normal. But just when you think you are on your way, you get snatched up again, into slavery. What keeps your hope alive?
Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In captivity again, would you remember what God had done for you the first time or would you curse God for letting it happen again?
Would your remember how the angel came and sent you to the ship that would take you away from the land that held you captive?
Would you remember that you made it through rough terrain for 200 miles?
Would you remember that the captain turned you away, refusing to give you passage off the island, but then you prayed and you were told to get aboard?
Would you remember that you turned up on the shore of France, near starvation when the crew started chastising you for your faith and you led them to the Lord?
Would you remember God demonstrated His provision of food, more than enough for everyone?
When you are captured again, faced with adversity again, the tsunamis of life keep smashing down upon you, remember your God's love for you. He hears you. He knows what has happened. He is already at work making a way for your escape. He knows the desires of your heart. Scripture says He will answer you. He will not allow You to be overtaken. When you are in this cycle of detestation will you remember the Lord your God? While you remember what He has done for you? Patrick didn't need to remember the stories from the Bible, he now had his own experience with the God of heaven sending an angel to speak to him in a dream. An angel that led to his mind-boggling escape from the atrocious master in Ireland. God made a way for his escape. So when Patrick finds himself in captivity again it is with a totally different mindset. He now knows what God can do. This time, Patrick's captivity was much shorter and he was reunited with his family in England.
Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV)
So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
Father, there is so much freedom and power in remembering what You have done for me. You are my Rock, my Strong tower. You are my place of refuge and Deliverer. I will call upon You in my day of trouble, because I know You hear me. I know You will answer. I know You are with me. Your love for me is beyond my comprehension. I know I matter to You. Each time adversity comes I turn to You and see my redemption draws near. I may not know how long, but I can take a stand for You, because I know it isn't a question of whether You will come to set things right and free me from my captivity. I know You will set me free. The question is when. I can trust that You will, so I do not need to know when. I need the strength to be Your testimony is each situation I am cast into. I will take a stand for You and live my life according to Your love and bring glory to You in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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