Skip to main content

79. Persecuted? You've Arrived!


Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 6:22-23, Psalm 17
Key Verse: "I call on you, O God, for You will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.” 
Psalm 17:6

There's a chorus to a popular song from a few years back that says:
Where can I go when I need a shelter? 
Where can I go when I need a friend? 
Where can I go when I need some helpin'? 
Where can I go, back on my knees again!     (Amy Grant) 

In Psalm 116, another Psalm written by a persecuted believer, the Psalmist says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”  (Psalm 116:15)  But that leads us to ask, "why is that?”  While in the case of this Psalm, the Psalmist was obviously rescued, we know that isn't always the case. 

Why didn't Jesus say, "Blessed are you when you are persecuted because God will rescue you in miraculous ways!”  Why are some people allowed to continue to suffer in this world, "for His name's sake?”  How does God get the glory for this? 

This is a history in scripture that we are all too familiar with. Jesus acknowledges this history Himself when He says, "for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  (Matthew 5:12B) The truth is, following Christ will mean that you are not in lock step with the world any more. 

In the next few verses, Jesus encourages His listeners to "let their light shine before men so that they will see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:16)  If you are not in lock step, if you are being different, you are bound to be noticed. Many won't like the ways you’re different and they will cause you grief, but if they see your good despite how they are treating you, and you give the credit for that goodness to God, He will get the glory, even through your persecution. 

Think of it like this. If it were easy to be a Christian, you would probably attract some who would want to get on board the Christian band wagon because they also want to receive the kinds of blessings that you have. They want the blessings, but they may not necessarily want the sacrificial walk. If, however, you stay with Christ even through the hard times, whatever that may be, then the world will notice and consider that there may be more to God than just receiving blessings. There may be something deeper that they don't understand.

You are showing them a life, centered on God, your refuge, your rock. You aren't tossed to and fro by emotions and feelings, or reacting to circumstances in the way of the world. Your difference is something solid, that just might get them through their storms of life as well. Blessed are you when you are persecuted because you are being given the opportunity to be a testimony to God's goodness and dependability through it all. That is something that the world needs to see.

"We Pray that you will live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”  (Col. 1:10-12)  Amen. 

Song: "Through It All”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

211. The Sons of Thunder's Request

Matthew 20:20-28 , Mark 10:35-45 , Key verse: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43B-44 In our readings for yesterday, in which Jesus outlined what was about to happen to Him, for His disciples, the passage in Luke ends: "The disciples did not understand any of this. It's meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what He was talking about." ( Luke 18:34 ) Now, we see just how truly clueless they were. Jesus had laid out a plan before them of pain and suffering and death and now James and John are focused on a promotion. The disconnect is so obvious. It's really not important to know whether James and john came up with this request on their own or if their mother put them up to it. The request was made and James and John thought that they could handle the responsibility that would come with it. What is that saying, "Fools rush in where angels fe...
Post a Comment
Read more

174. Pleading for the Fig Tree

Proverbs 27:18 , Luke 13:6-9 Key Verse: He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. Proverbs 27:18 We have here three main characters: a master, who acquired the tree in hopes of eventually enjoying its fruit, a servant, who looks to the tree to reflect his care and attention, and lastly, the tree itself. The master has the right to expect his investment to pay off. The servant, who has obviously put much effort into the tree, would also like to see fruit. The servant's interest is not only to show his own talent in gardening, but because he wants to please his master. Both the servant and the master are dependent upon the tree to do what it was designed to do. Their little parable is an interesting way for Jesus to finish off His exhortation to, "repent or perish."  God is the Master. He had a purpose for you before you were even born. ( Jeremiah 1:5 & Psalm 139:16 ) He planted you on this earth to ful...
Post a Comment
Read more

204. Come Like a Child

Psalm 127 , Matthew 19:13-15 , Luke 18:15-17 , Mark 10:13-16 Key Verse: Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 The attitude of the disciples isn't much different than the attitude of many people, even Christians, today. Instead of seeing children as a blessing from the Lord, too many regard them as a burden to bear that gets in the way of our own selfish happiness. Family size is determined by what we think we can afford rather than openness to God's blessing, trusting God to provide. Satan hates children. Children represent innocence. The sooner he can corrupt and or damage a child, the happier he is. This is why Jesus warned in Matthew 18:6: "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drown in the depths of the sea." To corrupt or damage ...
Post a Comment
Read more