May 30, 2017

STANDING UP FOR GOD

1 Maccabees 2:50-51 LXX

Therefore, children, be zealous for the law, and offer your lives for the covenant of our fathers; and remember the deeds our fathers did in their generations, and receive great honor and an everlasting name.

Personal Challenge

The Maccabees are facing a period of time in the history of their people where they are being oppressed and abused, not unlike many of our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East. In this passage, the people of Israel are being called to stand firm in their zealousness for the truths of the God that they worship. They are being challenged to give their lives for their God as their fathers before them did. And they are being encouraged to remember how the fathers of their faith lived their lives for their living God. We too, can apply these steps to rise up against that which is attacking our Church today, whether it be from the culture that hates God, or passivity and busyness in our lives, or physical threats to us and our loved ones. In order to do this we must know the truths of our God, We must study and follow the teachings and lives of the fathers of our faith, and we must be willing to give up our lives for Him. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!