Softened...

Your testimony could be what helps keep others in the Christian race.

That great American hero, editor, school teacher, and clergyman Elijah Lovejoy left the pulpit and returned to the press in order to be sure his words reached more people. The Civil War might have been averted and a peaceful emancipation of slaves achieved had there been more like him. After observing one lynching, Lovejoy was uncompromisingly committed to forever fighting the awful sin of slavery.

Mob action was brought against him time after time; neither this nor many threats and attempts on his life deterred him. Repeated destruction of his presses did not stop him. “If by compromise it is meant that I should cease from my duty, I cannot make it. I fear God more that I fear man. Crush me if you will, but I shall die at my post...”

And he did, four days later, at the hands of another mob. Not one of the ruffians was prosecuted, indicted or punished in any way for this murder. (Some of Lovejoy's defenders were prosecuted, and one of the mob assassins was later elected mayor of Alton!) However, Lovejoy’s death was not in vain. One young man who was around was deeply moved by the Lovejoy martyrdom. He had just been elected to the Illinois legislature. His name was Abraham Lincoln.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Have you felt like everyone was against you? Perhaps what you were trying to do seemed impossible and you felt discouraged. We all come to the point in our lives where we feel as if we cannot go on. It is exactly at that point when God wants us to turn to Him.

God never commands us to fight the good fight of faith without Him. In fact, many times He has told us that without Him, we can do nothing. But He also promises that through Him, all things are possible.

What would have happened if Lovejoy had given up his stand against slavery and had given into the masses? What if he had caved under the fear of the threats? Abraham Lincoln may not have been so convicted about slavery and fought so hard to outlaw it.

Source: Daily in the Word, January 29, 2009