Pressed but not Crashed
Pressed but not Crashed
By Evangeline Unity Esaaba Folson
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed.
The passage above brings to mind the story of the prophet Daniel; you can find the story in the book of Daniel in the old testament of the bible.
The Israelites were taken into exile in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon took some of the people of Israel into his palace.
Daniel 1:4
Children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans
Even though Daniel was in the king’s palace, he refused to eat the delicious looking meat, fish, vegetables served to the king’s household because he knew it was food offered to idols.
He ate only vegetables and kept serving God faithfully after a period of time, He and his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, looked better and were far wiser than those who ate from the king’s table. (Daniel chapter 1-3) They became great and honored men in the land. This displeases the people of Babylon. So the king passed a decree that no one should pray to any other God. But Daniel and his friends continued to pray to almighty God Yahweh. They were arrested and given punishments:
- Daniel was put in the lion’s den. But God shut the mouth of the hungry lion and they could not eat Daniel.
- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were put in a fury furnace but they came out unharmed.
Lesson to be learned
- Daniel and his friends were pressed but not crashed. They were persecuted for their faith but God saved them.
In the same way Christians of today should learn to remain faithful to God. Matthew 5:11-12 assures us that our reward will be great in heaven if we continue to serve God faithfully.
What does God expect us to do as Christians if we are “Pressed” to prevent us from being crashed, we must
- Pray without ceasing
Jeremiah 33:3
1 Thessalonians 5:17
- Study the word
Joshua 1:8
1 Timothy 2: 15
- Fast
Isaiah 58:9
Matthew 17:21
- Praise and thank God
Psalm 150:6
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Pray without ceasing
Jeremiah 33:3
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing
Both verses quoted above suggest that it is important to call on God constantly. It is necessary to pray constantly.
- To shield us from attacks
- To gain strength to continue doing what God requires of us in spite of the challenge we face
- To prevent us from getting destroyed or crashed.
Study the word
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth but you shall meditate on it day and night that you may be careful to do all that it says, for then you shall make you way prosperous and you shall have good success.
1 Timothy 2:15
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The two verses quoted above directs Christians to study the word of God thoroughly to know how to use it to obtain good success. It is not enough to just read the word; we must obey it as well. Then we can
- Stand against attacks
- Know how to respond to temptations as Jesus used the word to defeat the evil one in Matthew 4:1-13
- Then when we are pressed by our circumstances we will not get crashed or destroyed.
Fast
Isaiah 58:9
Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, here I am…
As the verse above says if you fast according to Gods directions given in Isaiah 58:1-8, then God will answer when you call.
Matthew 17:21 says
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting according to the verse above, sometimes prayer and study of the word alone is not enough. You have to fast well.
Prayer study of the word and fasting will bring the success or breakthrough you need. But you need to be patient and wait for God’s timing.
Praise and thank God
Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
A thankful or grateful heart filled with praise and thanksgiving to God will move God will move God to act on your behalf.
Meditate on the words of this song
I am trading my sorrows
I’m trading my pain
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord
I’m pressed but not crashed
Persecuted but not abandoned
Stracke down but not destroyed
I’m blessed beyond a curse
For His promise will endure
That His joy is gonna be my strength
Though sorrow may last for a night
His joy comes in the morning
I’m trading my sorrows
I’m trading my pain
I’m laying them down
For the joy of the Lord
References
