Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10, NKJV).
Dear God and Heavenly Father we are constantly aware that we live in a world of unrighteousness. We are not surprised that those who want to live godly lives will be persecuted; nevertheless, it hurts. So teach us to count it “all joy” when for Your sake, we are persecuted. This we ask, and for this we give You praise – in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen!
The days have passed swiftly. We are now on the eighth link of the Happiness Code. I personally want to thank God for the moments I have spent sitting at His feet and receiving these messages for the wellbeing of my soul. I am also grateful to be able to share them with others for His glory!
Today we are looking at a situation that is not very pleasant or popular: persecution. Unless you are a very special person, or, someone who for one reason or another is punishing yourself, you won’t necessarily consider yourself blessed, nor will you readily say that you are happy, while going through persecution, regardless of the reason.
We read the stories of the prophets of old who were killed because the messages they delivered were not popular; even though the ones receiving the message knew that the message was coming from God. Much of sacred history has been written with the blood of the martyrs, and many of us cringe when we read of the terrible sufferings and deaths endured by those men and women of God. Listen as Paul anonymously induct some of them into Faith’s Hall of Fame:
“Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth” (Hebrews 11:35-38, KJV). In spite of all of this, the apostle goes on to say that they all “obtained a good testimony through faith” (39).
A good rule of thumb that I have adopted in the face of persecution is to remember that I am in good company! Jesus said this to His disciples shortly before returning to His Father, “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20, KJV). What better company to enjoy than that of the Savior Himself, who was also persecuted for “righteousness sake.”
As one of the thieves on the cross said to his companion when he dared to mock Jesus, ” ‘ “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” ‘ ” (Luke 23:40b, 41, NKJV). Even when we suffer for the sake of Christ’s righteousness, we have no merits of our own to claim. We have earned sufferings because of our sins, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a).
But thanks be to God in His everlasting mercies and goodness, He has left us these wonderful words of encouragement: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4, NKJV). Even in the midst of trials and persecutions God is working out our salvation! Like the poor in spirit, ours is the kingdom of heaven. Praise God! Happy are We!