Text: Exodus 3:13 – 20, Romans 8:26 -30; Matthew 10:16- 22.
The theme for our meditation is of utmost importance, especially in today’s world where the issue of security tops the agenda of governments, corporate organizations, religious bodies, schools, companies, individuals, etc. That is not to say that peoples or societies before now never cared about the security of their people or environment.
However, the topic here differs entirely from what is obtainable in many settings. Our Lord Jesus had been ministering to the needs of the people: He had preached the word, healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, raised the dead, cast out demons, performed signs and wonders, all of which made Him popular to some people and at some time and an enemy to the world, the Pharisees and Sadducees, the governments and her leaders. At a point He decided to delegate His power and authority to His disciples so as to replicate what He had been doing. Matthew 10:16: “Behold I send out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. The disciples who were tagged “Sheep or believers” were people who had chosen to follow Christ, to love, obey, fear and surrender their lives completely to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Master. As sheep they were powerless, defenceless and dependent, they relied on their Shepherd to protect, guide and lead them. (Psalm 23).
The wolves were the enemies of the kingdom that were against the kingdom of which the disciples represented; the devil and his cohorts as could be seen in the conduct of the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the governments and as many that yielded allegiance to the devil.
Both sheep and wolves were to operate within the same environment – world. One could imagine the conflict, the destruction, killing, suffering, and persecution that would be prevalent in that kind of setting. Such was the fate that awaited the disciples of Jesus day, and same is obtainable today and will continue until Jesus comes to redeem His own. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)
History is replete with accounts of Christians who had suffered martyrdom, imprisonments, deprivations, persecutions etc, for no just cause but because of their faith in Jesus Christ. The same is happening today in many countries of the world. Some countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Sudan, Somalia, etc, mete out severe punishments to those who dare to make open confession of their faith in Christ Jesus. In some places like our own dear country Nigeria, there is a systematic decimation of Christians, churches are burnt, whole communities are sacked either by killings or are driven away, Christians are deliberately denied promotions, jobs or their rights.
Where then is the security of the believer?
God Almighty, the great I AM, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe is still in control, He has the ultimate power. He delivered His people from Egyptians bondage and took them to the Promised Land. (Exodus 3:13-20). This same God is still the One who allows “all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose”. (Romans 8:28)
He has promised us that those who will endure to the end shall be saved (Matthew 10:22), the security of the believer is one that we enjoy here on earth and continue to enjoy in heaven for eternity.
Remember, Jesus said “I am the good Shepherd; the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep”. Jesus has paid the price for all who believe and trust in Him. it doesn’t matter whether one’s life is cut short here on earth, what matters is the life hereafter, for the believer in Christ, one has an eternity that is secured by the death of Christ for all who believe in Him.
Today, I ask you, are you born again, have you rejected the devil, the world, the flesh and all the allures of this life, so as to follow Jesus?
Please I adjure you to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour and I can assure you that you will never miss eternity with Christ.
Have a rewarding and glorious week.
May God Almighty bless you so richly, in Jesus name.