DEVOTION / Treasure God's Church

The news reports are ominous. The stories are hard to believe because of the wonderful freedom we enjoy in worshipping our Savior Jesus.

Persecution of the Church

Steeples knocked down, crosses confiscated, chains across doors, pastors taken by local police and detained for interrogation, new laws banning parents from teaching their faith to their children, a heretical Bible translation being forced on believers, the faithful forced to meet in secret.

Persecution is nothing new to God's church. Acts 8:1 tells how such a great persecution broke out that believers were forced to scatter across Judea and Samaria. The Church was forced to spread even from those remote regions. Our Savior warned his faithful followers that such would be the case. Those persecutions continue today all around the world.

Providence for the Church

Despite those scary accounts of persecution, it is important to remember that God's Church continues to grow. God's Word "seeds" believers even in the most hostile circumstances. He promises his Word will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent.

In my devotions, I recently ran across an old poem that celebrates God's Church and its value to our world. It was in the anthology Christ and the Fine Arts copyrighted in 1938. The author was Beulah Hughes. I abbreviated and adapted it slightly for this devotion.

God's Church

The Great Creator drew my plans in his heart of love.

The one and only foundation is Jesus, his Son!

My tall steeple points to him.

My doors swing open to people of every race and time.

My sanctuary provides...

• Peace for tired minds.

• Rest for weary souls.

• Compassion in suffering.

• Forgiveness in repentance.

• Communion for his saints.

• Christ for all nations.

Within my walls, find...

• the love of the Father.

• the sacrifice of his Son.

• the leading of God's Spirit.

• the dreams of the prophets fulfilled.

• the faith of his disciples.

• the hope of countless millions.

• the joys of heaven-bound saints!

God's Church

• Without me, all must crumble.

• With me, eternity and heaven are yours!

Friends, treasure God's Church! Pray for its continued growth around the world. Support its growth in your words and actions. And remember to pray for those suffering for their Christian faith.  

Prayer   

Lord of the Church, prosper your Church despite opposition. See to its growth around the world. Protect your faithful pastors and followers. Lead us to always treasure this great gift for which your only Son gave his life.