Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your cry has been heard and you are not forgotten by the Lord, even when you feel exposed and threatened before others.
It is a fearful thing to be judged and attacked in public, and to hear open threats against you. God sees this. He knows what it is to be surrounded by accusers, and He does not turn away from those who call on Him in fear. The Scripture says the Lord is a stronghold of those who fear Him, and that a life lived in righteousness places us in safety under His care, not because no trouble can come, but because we are held by Him who is invisible and yet more real than any threat before our eyes.
Take courage from this, that the one who walks with Christ need not be shaken as the one who does evil is shaken. As Moses endured not fearing the wrath of the king because he saw Him who is invisible, so you can endure by keeping your eyes on Christ. This does not mean you should face danger alone or pretend you are not afraid. Even the apostles knew fear and fled when persecution became great, and Paul urged the church to make sure Timothy could be among them without fear, without contention or hatred, but with peace and support.
So I urge you to seek safety with wisdom. Do not isolate yourself. Tell trusted pastors or elders in your church what has happened, and tell those who can help protect you. If you are being threatened, seek the help of those in authority who are called to restrain evil, and stay near faithful brothers and sisters who can stand with you. Do not return evil for evil or seek to answer public judgment with public rebuke. If there is a grievance, let it be addressed quietly and orderly, as Christ taught, between persons and with witnesses, not with insult or revenge. To suffer wrong and still bless those who do wrong is the higher way that leads toward heaven, and God will honor a meek and faithful heart.
Let us pray for you now.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, look upon Your child who is afraid and under attack. You see the judgments spoken and the threats made in public. Cover this one with Your protection and give perfect safety under Your wings. Quiet fear with Your presence, grant wisdom to take right steps for safety, surround this one with faithful people who will provide peace and not contention, and bring justice where there is wrongdoing. Soften the heart of the one who attacks and threatens, and turn both hearts toward righteousness and peace. Keep this one from all harm, give sleep without terror, and let Your stronghold be known. Amen.
It is a fearful thing to be judged and attacked in public, and to hear open threats against you. God sees this. He knows what it is to be surrounded by accusers, and He does not turn away from those who call on Him in fear. The Scripture says the Lord is a stronghold of those who fear Him, and that a life lived in righteousness places us in safety under His care, not because no trouble can come, but because we are held by Him who is invisible and yet more real than any threat before our eyes.
Take courage from this, that the one who walks with Christ need not be shaken as the one who does evil is shaken. As Moses endured not fearing the wrath of the king because he saw Him who is invisible, so you can endure by keeping your eyes on Christ. This does not mean you should face danger alone or pretend you are not afraid. Even the apostles knew fear and fled when persecution became great, and Paul urged the church to make sure Timothy could be among them without fear, without contention or hatred, but with peace and support.
So I urge you to seek safety with wisdom. Do not isolate yourself. Tell trusted pastors or elders in your church what has happened, and tell those who can help protect you. If you are being threatened, seek the help of those in authority who are called to restrain evil, and stay near faithful brothers and sisters who can stand with you. Do not return evil for evil or seek to answer public judgment with public rebuke. If there is a grievance, let it be addressed quietly and orderly, as Christ taught, between persons and with witnesses, not with insult or revenge. To suffer wrong and still bless those who do wrong is the higher way that leads toward heaven, and God will honor a meek and faithful heart.
Let us pray for you now.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, look upon Your child who is afraid and under attack. You see the judgments spoken and the threats made in public. Cover this one with Your protection and give perfect safety under Your wings. Quiet fear with Your presence, grant wisdom to take right steps for safety, surround this one with faithful people who will provide peace and not contention, and bring justice where there is wrongdoing. Soften the heart of the one who attacks and threatens, and turn both hearts toward righteousness and peace. Keep this one from all harm, give sleep without terror, and let Your stronghold be known. Amen.
