Worship

“As For Me (Psalm 2)” by Christy Nockels

Scripture

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, ‘I believed, and so I spoke,’ we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” -2 Corinthians 4:7-18, ESV, emphasis added

Witnessing God’s Work in South Asia

We are living in some of the most critical and most exciting days in history as the clock is ticking to the return of Jesus! There is a global harvest happening, and the Spirit of God is moving across the Earth, pouring out wonder upon wonder. Everything that can be shaken is being shaken! And yet the Lord rises upon us and His goodness is evident all around us! He turns His gaze toward His people right now and asks us: Whom shall I send? He’s looking for those ones who will raise their hand and say to Jesus like Isaiah did, saying Lord send me (Isaiah 6:8)! In spite of hardship, persecution, suffering, and facing death in our bodies, will we still go? Will we still preach the gospel to the ends of the Earth?

I just returned 48 hours ago from leading a team to the remote villages in South Asia. Our team of 13 shared the gospel with more than 608 people, seeing 146 of them give their lives to Jesus. Our national partner was hoping for just 20 new believers in Jesus in order to plant a church in each village. The Lord exceeded his expectations! As I led this team across the world, I woke one morning with the words of the Scripture above, echoing through my mind. I knew that Jesus was accomplishing even more in this team of 13 than what could be measured.

One of our translators shared about growing up in a Hindu family and coming to find Jesus through Cru in college. When he returned home, his parents told him to leave and never return. Now that he was a follower of Jesus, he was a disgrace to his family and his village. Essentially, he was dead to them. For four years, he found shelter and refuge among friends who were also believers in Jesus. This man forsook everything to follow Jesus, no matter the cost. Now he was teaming up with our U.S. team to take the gospel back to his people with great boldness and passion.

One of our U.S. team members was diagnosed with cancer six weeks ago. She was already in training for this extreme trip and felt an unwavering conviction to go, in spite of her suffering. She finished her cancer treatment just two days into our trip. Although she suffered quietly, she had her eyes fixed on Jesus and her heart set on the people in those villages who had never heard His name. The supernatural power of Jesus carried her, and scores of people came to not only know salvation but also came to know the healing power of Jesus physically and spiritually through her surrendered life.

When we asked our dear national partner if he was married, he replied, “No, there is no time. I must continue the work of the Lord here.” His gaze is fixed, and the desires of his heart have been so sanctified to work while it is still day. Time is short, and millions and millions in this region have yet to hear about Jesus.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” -2 Corinthians 4:16-18, ESV

Everything that can be and needs to be shaken will be shaken (Hebrews 12:27). But we are not. “… he will never let the righteous be shaken (Psalm 55:22b).” We are hidden in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91); we know whom we have believed and are convinced that He is able to guard what we have entrusted to Him until that day (2 Timothy 1:12b); and after you have suffered a little while, He “himself will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10b).” Our feet are on solid ground, our eyes are fixed on Jesus, and if He is for you, who can stand against you? You belong to Him, and your salvation, eternity, and current situation are sealed in Christ. The metaphorical mountains in your life may be shaking and falling into the heart of the sea, but you will stand, and you will not be moved. You will see the deliverance of the Lord on your behalf. He will fulfill His purposes for you, declares the Lord (Psalm 138:8)! Take heart, for this is your strong and secure position in Christ!

Faith Refined Through Trials

We must endure hardship and trials so that our faith has a grit and substance to it. Our faith must be forged in fire, dear Bride of Christ. It’s in this forging that the chaff is removed and the knowledge of the Lord moves from a knowing about in our mind to a belief and deep conviction in our hearts. The 18-inch drop from our heads to our hearts is what gives us a confidence in the faithfulness of God—an unwavering belief in His character and a passionate determination to follow Him to our finish line with our faith intact.

A Faith That Endures

As I was processing these truths with the Lord, in the face of seeing many on my recent team deeply struggle as the Lord sanctifies, prunes, builds, and fortifies, I wrote these words in my journal that the Lord placed on my spirit as I sat with Him:

I am training My people in the school of perseverance to have a faith that is immovable. Faith that is tried and tested in trial, infused with the grace of God becomes faith that can endure. Perseverance comes through training. Unwavering faith comes through that which has been tried and tested and found to endure. Strength in perseverance is not a gift to be given but a learning through exercise. It is like muscular strength—it must be worked on so that it will last. I must allow My people to suffer trials so that they have foundational layers of faith upon which to build. The trials will be momentary, and the afflictions will not last forever. But My people need to learn to fix their eyes and their faith on Me and not the ending of the trial. I am building in them something that will endure and last for eternity—a faith and belief in My faithfulness and My character. Their faith cannot be skin deep; it must go to the bone marrow. It must be so much deeper than they can even see. In the marrow, things are produced that impact the function of the entire body. Replication of life is in the bone marrow. Replication of faith must be this deep! My people need faith that is bone deep!

“Our bone marrow is what ‘spits out’ new baby blood cells to meet up with proteins made within our body to form mature blood cells. Without bone marrow we have no cell production thus no life.” -Dr. Alexandria Watkins

Beloved, don’t let go in this trial and in this suffering. He is producing in you something greater than all the treasures of Earth combined! Keep your eyes locked and your heart positioned in worship. You will come forth as gold, and your faith will stand to endure.

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