Breath of Power - Week 16/05

Week 16: April 18 - 24, 2005

THOSE THAT DEFIED THE FIRE

Key Passage: Hebrew 11: 32-35

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna, a wealthy city in Asia Minor, located in the present day Turkey. He was highly respected, and was renowned for his simplicity and his deep faith. At the height of the persecution of Christians that swept through Smyrna in the 2nd Century, he was brought to the Arena by the Roman authorities to be devoured by lions for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

He was persuaded to revile Jesus Christ to secure his release, but he firmly replied, “Eighty-Six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong – how can I blaspheme my King who has saved me?” The crowd being infuriated by his response and his resilient faith demanded that he be touched with fire. As they gathered the logs and were to kindle the fire, he cried, “He who gives me power to endure the fire will also give me the power to withstand the flame.” As the fire came up on him, he lifted up his eyes to the sky and thanked and praised God for being counted worthy to drink from the cup of Christ (Matt 20:22-23; 26:39,42). As the fire consumed the logs, it could not consume his body, until a gladiator had to trust through his chest with a dagger. His martyrdom was meant to be a great blow to the church in Smyrna; however, it turned out to strengthen the Church and gendered great unity among the believers.

The early Apostles, after being tortured and reprimanded by the Jewish authorities for preaching in the name of Jesus, rejoiced for being counted worthy to suffer shame for his name (Acts 5:40-41). How wonderful it will be for us to look ahead to the eternal blessings awaiting the faithful believers in Christ. That will be a great anchor for our souls in times of temptations, trials and tribulations. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinth 4:17-18).

Pray, Lord, help me to withstand the fire of temptations, trials and tribulations. Give me the grace to be faithful to the end that I may wear the crown of life (Jam 1:12; Rev 2:10).

Written by – Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi



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	Week 16: April 18 - 24, 2005 THOSE THAT DEFIED THE FIRE Key Passage: Hebrew 11: 32-35 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna, a wealthy city in Asia Minor, located in the present day Turkey. He was highly respected, and was renowned for his simplicity and his deep faith. At the height of the persecution of Christians that swept through Smyrna in the 2nd Century, he was brought to the Arena by the Roman authorities to be devoured by lions for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was persuaded to revile Jesus Christ to secure his release, but he firmly replied, “Eighty-Six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong – how can I blaspheme my King who has saved me?” The crowd being infuriated by his response and his resilient faith demanded that he be touched with fire. As they gathered the logs and were to kindle the fire, he cried, “He who gives me power to endure the fire will also give me the power to withstand the flame.” As the fire came up on him, he lifted up his eyes to the sky and thanked and praised God for being counted worthy to drink from the cup of Christ (Matt 20:22-23; 26:39,42). As the fire consumed the logs, it could not consume his body, until a gladiator had to trust through his chest with a dagger. His martyrdom was meant to be a great blow to the church in Smyrna; however, it turned out to strengthen the Church and gendered great unity among the believers. The early Apostles, after being tortured and reprimanded by the Jewish authorities for preaching in the name of Jesus, rejoiced for being counted worthy to suffer shame for his name (Acts 5:40-41). How wonderful it will be for us to look ahead to the eternal blessings awaiting the faithful believers in Christ. That will be a great anchor for our souls in times of temptations, trials and tribulations. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinth 4:17-18). Pray, Lord, help me to withstand the fire of temptations, trials and tribulations. Give me the grace to be faithful to the end that I may wear the crown of life (Jam 1:12; Rev 2:10). Written by – Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi

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