As Though…

Posted on July 13, 2022 by Catey Stover in Victory Call

I have read this verse dozens and dozens of times but I felt a quickening in my spirit- I know I am not doing this. How about you?

“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them – those who are mistreated – since you yourselves are in the body also.” Hebrews 13:3

With all that is going on in the world there are many, many, many brothers and sisters in Christ – children and adults – being persecuted, jailed, tortured and killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Imagine for just a moment (that’s all we can bear) that you or your loved one was one of those ones being beaten, jailed or persecuted. Would we ever leave our knees? I believe we would be pleading night and day for freedom, for the grace to endure and strength to remain true.

The author of Hebrews tells us to remember the prisoners – the ones mistreated – as though we, too, were chained with them…does that cause you pause? Not so much that we, too, could be literally in chains but more so how little we plead for – remember – cry out for our brothers and sisters who are suffering greatly even as I write this and even as you read it.

Lord, give us awareness, give us compassion – may we remember and pray as though chained to them at this moment.

P.S. As I pondered this verse the evening I wrote this VC I thought to myself, I don’t really know specifics about persecution going on now. Where can I find out information? I wondered if there is a “Voice of the Martyr” website, which I then quickly found http://www.persecution.com . But then I thought (I’m not proud of this – but it makes my point) I will read it tomorrow because if I read it right before bed I may not be able to sleep!!! Oh, my!!! That I might lose some sleep in my soft cushy bed when brothers and sisters are losing sleep because of chains, hunger, and wounds on hard, cold, damp, cell floors. I chose to survey the website and select one to pray for that very evening.

Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.


Think About This: “God has perfect timing; never early, never late. It takes a little patience and it takes a lot of faith, but it’s worth the wait.” – Author Unknown

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 10-12Acts 17:16-34| You can download our 2022 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

Want to get away & have dedicated time to read & learn God’s Word?

Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.

LEARN MORE

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories