The Souls of the Martyrs Cry Out

"I saw-----the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, 'How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you--------avenge our blood?'"

"Vengence is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay." Rev. 6:9-10; Rom. 12:19

When I think about the multitudes of believers, my brothers and sisters, who have died for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ I am both humbled and strengthened.

I am humbled because they endured ridicule, persecution, poverty, imprisonment, torture and death for what they believed. And I have it so very easy and live in the lap of luxury.

I am strengthened in my innermost being by their heroic example of faithfulness and the strength of character they displayed.

In my spirit I hear them crying out to me, not for vengence - that belongs to God, but for steadfastness, for faithfullness, for convictions that will not waiver and for a faith that is worth more than life itself.

I hear the martyrs asking;
" Did we give our lives in vain?
Will you so easily lay aside
the very things for which we died?
Will you follow in our train?"

Yes, I will follow in their train.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every thing that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus---"
Heb. 12:1