Jer. 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?
Isa. 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
1Pet. 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1Sam. 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.
Psa. 45:7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Jer. 31:13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
These Bible verses fill me with great pleasure, because they are promises answering the cry of my heart. I have been fearful of being persecuted for God; of suffering for Him. I don’t trust myself. I am afraid I am too weak. I was so fearful, that it discouraged me and caused me great sorrow, where I would weep before the Lord, telling Him how sorry I was because I didn’t want to go through suffering for Him.
In Jer. 12:5, I see levels of trials: footmen; horses; swelling of the Jordan River. Each day I go through small trials, and some days, large trials, that cause sorrow, disappointment, shame, suffering, grief, pain; and they can bring me to tears. They are a type of persecution from our enemy, the Devil. And, they are preparing me for greater times of possible persecution and suffering for Him.
In Isa. 43:2 God promises that the fiery trials, and the waters of persecution, will not overcome us (1Pet. 4:12 and Isa. 43:2). God will stay by our side and keep us from being burned or drowned. He will enable, and empower, us to endure whatever trial comes upon us; we will not succumb spiritually to Satan trying to sabotage our faith in God and our witness for Him.
In Psa. 45:7 we see that God wants to anoint us with the oil of gladness; the oil of joy. That means God wants to fill us with the Holy Spirit, which will bring this joy. In 1Sam. 16:13 we see the anointing oil is the Holy Spirit. When trials come my way to scourge and wound me, and I cry to God about them, He gives the Holy Spirit to comfort me (John 14:26); and to apply His healing salve and bind up my wounds. Psa 147:3 “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” He heals me and turns my sorrow into joy (Jer. 31:13).
And, ultimately, if I will go through the times of persecution that are ahead, He will enable me to endure. He will fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I will not be burned by Satan’s fiery darts, and the waves of persecution will not overflow me. He will cause me to stand firm in His name, even to the point of death. Because we do not need to fear him who can kill the body, for he cannot kill our spirit (Matt. 10:28). And in the process, He will anoint me with the oil of gladness, so that I will be exceeding joyful that I am able to suffer for my Jesus (1Pet. 4:13)! Our Lord is SO good!!!! Now, I know I can trust Him to perform in me whatever He wills, pleases, or desires.
Phil. 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Phil. 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Psa. 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
After this study, I feel such a freedom from my prison of fear! I am so happy! I can rest in His promises! I can go my way, knowing He will fulfill them in me when I have the need; I was poor in faith and He has enriched it.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Psa. 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Isa. 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;