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5 People Leaders Know They Can Count On

Paul said to Timothy, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has … counted me faithful, putting me into service” (I Timothy 1:12).

In the amazing 11th chapter of Hebrews, called the “faith chapter,” after listing the faith-deeds of one after another of the Lord’s choice Old Testament servants, the writer interrupts this essay to exclaim, “Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God!” (Hebrews 11:16) And again, “men of whom the world was not worthy!” (11:38)

In your heart of hearts, do you want to be counted worthy? Then there is something you need to know …

The early disciples rejoiced “that they had been counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41).

Now, suffering shame for Jesus (whether the milder version of simple embarrassment or the deadly variety of intense persecution) is never an end in itself. When the Lord asks His children to stand up under such a barrage from the enemy, He always has something big in mind. Something, which we need to add with emphasis, He rarely tells to the faithful one suffering for His name. We will do it by faith or not at all.

Help us, Lord.

May we be counted worthy for whatever purposes and plans that You have which include us.

May we not take a head count of the faithful to determine if we will be true to Thee and to Thy servants who are on the line for Thee.

May we not ask our families if we should hold fast and be true to Thee, but do the right thing regardless.

May we not check our comfort level in deciding whether we will continue holding out for the Savior.

May we be faithful unto death, knowing that from Thee and from Thee only are we promised “a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10 and II Timothy 4:8).