When you are suffering, feel unjustly treated, or think the
world is out to get you, do you feel blessed or cursed? Do you feel God’s arms
and love surrounding you, or do you want to get even with your tormentor? Let’s
see what Jesus had to say about persecution and insults.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter
all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for
your reward is great in heaven, for so they
persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matt 5:11-12 (ESV)
Jesus laid it on the line here. We can expect to be reviled
(subject to verbal abuse) and persecuted (treated badly, especially because of
race, religion, gender, or national origin) and slandered (words that damage
your reputation). Lovely!
When we read the whole statement, we discover that we are
just like the prophets. Just like
ancient God followers who were laughed at for preaching God’s word. We may be
getting the short end of the stick on earth, but persecution (for Jesus’ sake) gives
us rewards in heaven.
When you are suffering for your stand for Christ, you might
want to have this verse in your memory bank!
For I consider that the sufferings
of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be
revealed to us. Romans 8:18 (ESV)
… to the glory that is to be revealed to us. Just imagine! We
are following in the prophets’ footsteps. We are following in Jesus’ footsteps.
We know that Jesus has promised to prepare a place for us and that He promises
to come and get us. Keep your eyes on the prize, friend, not the suffering of
the moment!
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to
test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s
sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is
revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the
name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God
rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:12-14)
We saw these verses on Wednesday. I just
wanted to put them here to reinforce the command to rejoice in Christ’s
sufferings!
Bless our God, O peoples; let the
sound of his praise be heard, 9 who
has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. 10 For you, O God,
have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. 11 You brought us into
the net; you laid a crushing burden
on our backs; 12 you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance. Psalm
66:8-12 (ESV)
As we read these words of comfort, take a moment to thank God that
it’s HE Who tested and tried us. God allowed the persecutions to happen. And
yet…
…He brings us to a place of abundance!
As you begin your Memorial Day weekend, I pray you will thank God
for the place of abundance He has brought you to. Think on all the trials you
experience in His Name. Are you burdened? Feel like you’re drowning? Like you
want to explode? Remember what He promises.
Abundance and a reward in heaven.
Be safe this weekend, and take time to think of those who have
given the ultimate sacrifice for us – police, fire fighters, Army, Navy, Air
Force, Marines, Coast Guard, US Marshalls (and those I forgot).
I will post a blog on Monday!
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