Richard Wurmbrand was an evangelical pastor who began an “underground” ministry for oppressed believers in 1940s Communist Romania. He was arrested twice and spent over thirteen years being tortured in prison. When he later testified about this in the U.S., the Communist regime of Romania made plans to assassinate him. Wurmbrand didn’t let this threat silence him, and he went on to start The Voice of the Martyrs organization, which serves and assists persecuted Christians all around the globe.[1]
Christians, similar to Richard Wurmbrand, are threatened, persecuted, imprisoned, and killed on a daily basis because of their faith all over the world. While we, as Christians in the United States, don’t encounter near the level of persecution other international believers do, it does seem like our nation is becoming more and more hostile towards Christians and biblical ideals. In today’s world, it’s difficult for us to always stand up for our faith! We fear what people will think of us or do to us. Gideon, one of the judges God sent to Israel, feared the same thing.
In Judges 6, we read that Israel had sinned against God, so He allowed the Midianites, one of Israel’s enemies, to overpower and oppress them. The Israelites cried out to God, and God decided that He would raise up Gideon to be a judge and defeat the Midianites. When God came to Gideon, he was hiding in a winepress because he feared the Midianites would steal the wheat he was beating out. Gideon believed he was weak and unable to save Israel, but God promised that He would be with him. God later told Gideon-
“‘Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.’ Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and called it, The LORD Is Peace.” Judges 6:23b-24a, ESV
The Lord is Peace! Jehovah Shalom.[2] This name of God tells us that God is the One who gives us peace and takes away all our fears. The concept of Jehovah Shalom is found in both the Old and New Testaments. Isaiah 26:3-4 and John 16:33 are particularly exceptional examples! These verses tell us that in God, in Jesus Christ, we have perfect peace! He is our everlasting rock that we can run to without fear (Isaiah 26:3-4). We will experience suffering and difficult things on this earth, but we have the hope that Christ will one day return to defeat all sin and suffering (John 16:33). We can trust God forever, even in the midst of persecution (Isaiah 26:3-4)! He is with us, and He strengthens us, and He fills us with peace!
The word shalom (peace) is actually derived from the word shalem, which translates as “be complete”.[3] The book of James tells us-
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
We will face trials and tests throughout our Christian lives, but these trials strengthen our faith and allow our God of peace, our God of completeness, to make us more complete and make us more like Him. When you are facing persecution or suffering for your faith, and you begin to feel afraid or anxious about the situation, remember Paul’s encouragement in Philippians-
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
As you are facing trials at work, pray and give thanks! As you are facing trials at school, pray and give thanks! As you are facing trials in your neighborhood, pray and give thanks! When you face trials in your future, pray and give thanks! Do not fear – God will guard you and strengthen you with His peace that surpasses all understanding. And take time to pray today for the persecuted believers around our world. Pray that they would be strengthened and filled with peace!
[1] “Our Founders,” The Voice of the Martyrs, accessed September 8, 2020, https://www.persecution.com/founders/.
[2] “The Names of God in the Old Testament,” Blue Letter Bible, accessed September 8, 2020, https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/misc/name_god.cfm.
[3] Ibid.
