In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef encourages us that Jesus does not send us out into the world alone.
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[00:00:00] You are listening to my Devotional, the Daily Devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading The Way. Sheep among wolves by Dr. Michael Youssef. In June 2009, the long-family woke up to their worst nightmare. Their 23-year-old son, a private
[00:00:22] In the U.S. Army, had been gunned down by an Islamic terrorist on American soil. They were shocked, grieved and angry. Yet amid their mourning, this family did the unthinkable. After receiving the money left to them by their son, the long-sdedicated portion of it
[00:00:40] to help reach Muslims for Christ. They said, we can think of no better way to honor God than to use part of the money he left us to reach the unsaved Muslim people. From an earthly perspective, the longs would have been justified in seeking revenge,
[00:00:58] yet they chose to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ, loving the very people who had killed their son. Take a look at Matthew chapter 5 verses 43 through 48 and chapters 10-16 through 20.
[00:01:13] Jesus is called all of us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, as Christ faced opposition and persecution from the world so we will, which is why Jesus warned us that he was sending us out like sheep among wolves.
[00:01:28] Yet Jesus did not say, I'm going to protect you from the wolves. Instead he said, I am commissioning you to go out to the wolves. Jesus sends us out to the hostile world knowing exactly what we're made of. He knows our weaknesses and vulnerabilities,
[00:01:45] yet he does not send us out alone, our Lord promises to be with us always. He promises that nothing can separate us from his love and that even if we do pay the ultimate price for our faith it's better to be with him.
[00:02:01] And as he sends us to the enemies of the cross with the good news of the gospel, his power transforms wolves into obedient sheep, terrorist into saints. Jesus knows that the eternal destiny of terrorists is more important than the earthly comfort of his people.
[00:02:20] He calls us all to love our enemies even those who persecute us. In this worthy but risky task we must be wise as serpents
[00:02:30] and innocent as does. Our response to persecution must not be cowering fear or bitter retaliation, but prudent proclamation, the discerning declaration of the good news.
[00:02:44] Let's pray together. Father help us to see people as you do, remembering that we too were at innitty with you, but by your grace every sieve salvation in redemption.
[00:02:56] May those opposed to your gospel also receive the gift of your mercy and forgiveness in Christ. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen. If you enjoy the daily devotional podcast, Dr. Yusuf invites you to help share this life-changing truth with others.
[00:03:13] This June you can double your impact through our June gift, challenge, visit ltw.org and give to partner with us today to see lives transformed in Christ.
[00:03:25] If today's devotional encouraged you, we'd love to hear about it. Leave a review and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it. My devotional is a ministry of leading the way with Dr. Michael Yusuf. To learn more, visit ltw.org today.