Josh Was Set Ablaze.

"HE THAT DWELLS IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH; SHALL ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY."

Josh ran with all of his strength, panting heavily and praying for mercy. His energy was diminishing but his assurance of safety comforted him. The certainty of running to a place where he would be safe, fuelled his body and mind with renewed strength.

Josh, a devout. A Christian faithful who believes in the finished works of Christ. An unapologetic soul winner who understands the reality of the kingdom. Josh never shuffles God and his work with any other thing. He gave his whole 27 years to serving God in Ministry.

Despite his solid stand in God, Josh could be categorized as the ancient church mouse. His poverty is like the fate of the littlest dirt on the ground.

In a bid to make ends meet, he decided to go work as a driver to a certain rich man in town. He needed money desperately, and besides, money is needed to finance the good Gospel that he preaches.

As fate would take it, it would happen that the rich man would lose some amount of money, and Josh would be accused wrongly by his colleagues who never liked him. The man would send some hoodlums to beat and to, possibly, kill Josh, if he doesn't give the money back.

Josh caught wind of this and ran. Thanks to the Holy Spirit who alerted him ahead of time.

…….……

Josh was still running, but it seems his predators were fast approaching and almost getting to him. But he didn't stop. He knew some miracle will have to happen or death happens.

"Oh, Lord, arise! And save me from my enemies." He mumbled under his breath, as he ran ahead.

Suddenly, he felt his left leg give way and he fell with a great thud. He just twisted his ankle, he realized. Tears ran down his eyes with gusto as he saw heaven.

His pursuers, the killers were still coming far ahead, hot on his trail, with each of their weapons in their hands.

Just as he closed his eyes to await death, he heard a voice, gentle and quiet, say,

"Arise now! For I have exchanged for you, their speed. You will run and you shall never be wary. They will never be able to get a hold of you, until you run to safety."

Immediately, he stood and started running. His strength renewed and his strides as swift as a horse'.

Josh ran until he got to his church's mission house. His Pastor was there, with four others who serve under him.

They were about praying when Josh stomped in, breathing heavily and sweating profusely.

"Brother Josh, what is wrong?" His Pastor questioned, with a mild frown.

Still breathing heavily, "It's them. They want to kill me." He answered, pointing at the same time, to the direction from where he had been running.

Others stretched their necks, looking for the pursuers.

"Who are they? And, why are they pursuing you?" The Pastor questioned further, looking really worried.

"They are my boss' guys. They said I stole. But God sees my heart, sir. I didn't steal the money." Josh explained himself, allowing tears to flow down his eyes. His twisted ankle had started aching.

Just at that time, his predators were already at the mission house's gate, banging aggressively and threatening to set the building ablaze if the Pastor doesn't release the "thief" to them.

Pastor stood for a while, thinking. Then, called one of his subordinates into his chambers.

…….……...

"LET GOD BE TRUE; AND EVERY MAN, A LIAR."

Pastor waited before he said the words.

"He can't stay here." He blurted out.

The younger guy looked at him, stunningly and answered, "Pastor Sir, remember that God already gave the Word long before Bro Josh showed up. The revelation I had this morning was about him. We have to allow him in, sir." He elaborated, hoping that his mentor would be touched.

"No, Caleb! We cannot allow him in. Those guys are dangerous. They'll set us ablaze. Tell him God doesn't want him here. Tell any lie at all. Just let him go." The Pastor ordered angrily, and with that, went into his inner chambers.

The subordinate, worried about how to go about the lie, came out to Josh where he was sitting, and regaining his strength. With no hesitation, he said,

"I am deeply sorry, Bro. Josh. But God has not given us the word to accept you in here."

Josh stared, with his mouth gaping wide. "No…" he countered.

"This same God has helped me to come this far. He said this is my place of safety. He led me here." He explained, with fear of what happens next.

But Caleb wouldn't have it, though, he looked disturbed. He asked his colleagues to help in driving Josh out.

Just then, the hoodlums broke the gate open, and stormed in. Josh leaped up and made to run into the inner rooms, but Caleb and his colleagues blocked his way.

"Caleb, please. For the sake of the sacrifice of Jesus. Consider the blood He shared for us all. Don't allow these evil people to kill me."

Josh pleaded in a loud and desperate voice. Tears mixed together with mucus on his face.

Caleb was still blocking his way when the hoodlums entered, and started beating him. They dragged him by his broken ankle, outside for proper finishing.

……………….

"..FOR NO WEAPON FASHIONED AGAINST THEE SHALL PROSPER."

They beat Josh with planks and rods. And those things were "prospering" against Josh.

Blood and tears collided in his eyes, and his body got swollen up with bruises and wounds.

He begged and screamed for help. But his Pastor was in his chambers, doing nothing but glaring through his window. Caleb was by the gate, shedding tears and muttering, "God, I am sorry." "Forgive me, Lord"

As the guys beat Josh with fury.. Josh "encouraged himself in the Lord."

A song of hymn, his mother's favorite dropped in his spirit, and he recited…

"My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness,
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But only lean on Jesus' Name."

"On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand,
All other ground, is sinking sand...
All other ground…"

He couldn't finish, for he felt the pierce of a machete on his forehead. And his head split into two. The sharp pain made him shudder violently and his body stopped moving. The guys, not satisfied, poured some petrol on his body and set him ablaze.

The Pastor watched and felt a tear come out.

As he saw Josh's battered body, swallowed up in orange and purple flames, he knew he had failed Josh.

He knew he had failed God.