No Turning Back # 248

Esther 4:16

...if I perish, I perish.

Abiding in Christ comes with tremendous blessings, however, it does not exclude us from the trials and tribulations of life. Our commitment towards God should never waver, neither should it crumble under the pressures of this world. God, he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. By keeping our eyes on Christ we will soon realize that the things of this earth will grow strangely dim no matter how devastating it may appear.

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. Our heart, soul and mind must come into an agreement to follow Christ into the place of no turning back. Queen Esther declared, if I perish, I perish. She came to the conclusion that God's will for her is greater than life. Life is worth the living, however, there is no true living outside of God's will. Paul testified, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. It is our privilege and our duty as Christians to live for Christ; dying is our reward which we will enjoy throughout eternity with no regrets.

Adverse times will come like the wind and storm to shake us, however, it should not remove us from our faith in God. The struggles of life may question our commitment in the thing we believe in, but our foundation must remain in Christ our solid Rock. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. The strength of our commitment towards God is tested by adversity. It may be difficult in the midst of adversity, but keep in mind it is only a temporary situation. Adversity brings our true identity to the surface. Our loyalty, belief and what we stand for will be exposed. We must never compromise our commitment to avoid life's temporary struggles, or it will undermine our character and integrity.

Paul obeyed God's calling even at the cost of his life. I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. Daniel went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. The decree was passed; praying had become a crime, punishable by being cast into the den of lions. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow to the king's golden image, knowing full well that the penalty for disobeying the law was to be burned in a fiery furnace. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But, if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

As a disciples of Christ you must count the cost of your commitment. Whether popular or unpopular, your choice and decision must be made clear with conviction and according to God's will. Remember that your actions in the midst of hardship will reflect your loyalty. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Mat 5:45, Job 1:21, Phil 1:21, 1 Pet 1:6-7, Acts 21:13, Dan 6:10, Dan 3:17-18, Ps30:5

KJV