3/30 Daily in the Word

Blessed when Persecuted
Matthew 5:10-11

Christ didn't quit Calvary when things became difficult; don't quit on God when persecutions come.

Well-known missionary Amy Carmichael once wrote the following poem about persecution in the life of a Christian:

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?
No wound, no scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And, pierced are the feet that follow Me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who has no wounds nor scar?

Hast thou no scar, Christian? What person hasn't faced a time of trial, difficulty, persecution, or struggle? I'm sure older Christians can point back to times of persecution just as newer Christians can. The question isn't whether you'll face persecution, but how you'll react to it.

Christ knew the persecution His followers would face. He understood the trials they would face, which is why He said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." Even when they faced the unloving masses, Jesus wanted them to know they were blessed.

Some believers have faced intense persecution of martyrdom, and some still do face death for their beliefs today. Yet some Christians will face the persecution of rejection, ostracism, and social ridicule. While social persecution isn't as bad as martyrdom, Christ still wants you to know that suffering for God's sake will be blessed.

When people mock God's Word, you're blessed. When others reject your witnessing, you're blessed. When those around you think you're weird for your beliefs, you're blessed. When friends leave you, you're blessed. No matter what persecution is thrown at you, never forget that God considers those who are persecuted in His name to be blessed.

Persecution will come in your life, if it hasn't already. How will you react? Do not soften your beliefs or silence your message because of persecution. Christ didn't stop on the road to Calvary when things became difficult. Continue on despite persecution, and thank God that through it all, you are blessed to be able to suffer for Christ's sake.

Daily Bible Reading
Judges 9-10 | Luke 5:17-39

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