Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 7:57am
Excerpt from 'Our Daily Bread' ~
When Polycarp (AD 69-155), who was the bishop of the church at Smyrna, was asked by Roman authorities to curse Christ if he wanted to be released, he said, 'Eighty six years I have served Him, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blasphemy my King who saved me?'
The Roman officer threatened, 'I you do not change your mind, I will have you consumed with fire.' Polycarp remained undaunted. Because he would not curse Christ, he was burned at the stake.
Centuries earlier, when 3 young men named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced a similar threat, they answered, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us from your hand, O king, that we do not serve your gods.' (Daniel 3:16-18)
A similar experience but two different outcomes. Polycarp was burned alive, but the 3 young men left the furnace unsinged.
Two different results but the same display of faith. The men showed us that faith in God is not simply faith in what God can do. But it is the belief that God is GOD whether He delivers us or not. He has the final say. And its our decision to choose to follow Him through it all.
-Albert Lee
When Polycarp (AD 69-155), who was the bishop of the church at Smyrna, was asked by Roman authorities to curse Christ if he wanted to be released, he said, 'Eighty six years I have served Him, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blasphemy my King who saved me?'
The Roman officer threatened, 'I you do not change your mind, I will have you consumed with fire.' Polycarp remained undaunted. Because he would not curse Christ, he was burned at the stake.
Centuries earlier, when 3 young men named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced a similar threat, they answered, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us from your hand, O king, that we do not serve your gods.' (Daniel 3:16-18)
A similar experience but two different outcomes. Polycarp was burned alive, but the 3 young men left the furnace unsinged.
Two different results but the same display of faith. The men showed us that faith in God is not simply faith in what God can do. But it is the belief that God is GOD whether He delivers us or not. He has the final say. And its our decision to choose to follow Him through it all.
-Albert Lee
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