I thought this was an interesting article about understanding the persecuted church:
http://www.pastors.com/rwmt/default.asp?id=281&artid=9921&expand=1
"Now I know … — " 1 Kings 17:24
What is the difference between the person who knows and the person who doesn’t? They say the same words. They confess the same creeds. They attend the same church. They may eat at the same table.
But one knows and another does not.
In this case, the woman who spoke these words watched her son gradually lose his life. When he finally stopped breathing, she blurted out what she thought she knew. "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?"
There in her loss she spoke what she thought was the truth: God was her adversary, her sin was on display, and anything precious to her was fair game.
Sooner or later, this happens to all of us. Our real beliefs are revealed. Circumstances squeeze us until we cannot hide behind our creeds any more; we are forced to lay our cards on the table.
Then God showed up. I don’t know and cannot predict how God will show up for you. In this woman’s case, He raised her son from the dead — unheard of, unprecedented, miraculous.
Then she knew. God is on a mission to plant His truth deep inside you and me. That is part of what is behind the bewildering circumstances you may be walking through. Once you know, then the serpent’s lies cannot shake you ever again.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.