The Promise Of Suffering
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
What comes to mind when you read that verse? Write down what comes to mind. Now, consider these three New Testament scriptures on persecution and suffering:
In Matthew 5:10-11, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”
In Matthew 16:24-26, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
In Romans 5:3-5, Paul says, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
These are three of quite a few other verses on suffering and persecution. Take time to prayerfully read and reflect on these verses. Suffering and persecution come to those who follow Jesus, but there is a refinement and maturity that comes to those who weather suffering and persecution while depending on Jesus.
You may be suffering. You may be facing persecution. Take courage. Take heart.
Jesus promised suffering and persecution. He promised to be with us as we face it. He promised to refine and mature us through it. And he promised deliverance from all of it.
The Psalmist in Psalm 34:19 says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers them from them all.” Whether we see deliverance now, in the future, or when Jesus returns this is a sure promise of the LORD!
Hang in there. God is with you. He will never leave nor forsake you. I am reminding myself of this today.
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