Slideshow image
Scripture for the day: Psalm 69:5-6 O God, You know my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from You. Let not those who wait for You, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed because of me; let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel.
Thought for the day: Jesus promised that, if we’re to follow Him and make Him known publicly, people will be offended. In fact, some will be so offended that they will hate us because of Him. He also said, “If they hate you, remember that they hated Me first.” History is filled with proofs of the truth of that statement. More people are killed every year simply for claiming the name of Christ than for any other reason. This has always been the case and we shouldn’t expect anything less, even in those countries where the Gospel is mostly free to worship as desired.
In the country of Eritrea, east Africa, Christianity is absolutely banned. Pastors have been told they can no longer hold public services. Many have been imprisoned for their faith, and for no other reason. One person I’ve read about found Jesus while fulfilling her mandatory military service. She was soon discovered trying to relieve the suffering of other Christians who’d been arrested, and sentenced to prison herself. She was incarcerated for six months and kept in a metal shipping container in a hot desert area. Her captors “provided minimum food and maximum discomfort,” all designed to break her faith.
Rather than surrender to her circumstances, the woman’s faith grew as she worshiped and prayed with her fellow prisoners. She said, “Those six months in prison were a good time”1 because she had the opportunity to share with those who were imprisoned for the same reason. During her time of imprisonment, and because of her attitude of humility and love, she was able to influence many others for Christ. She could have fought back or allowed hatred to take root in response to the injustices she experienced. Instead, she chose to draw people to the side of the Savior by adopting His attitude.
I can’t tell you how often I’ve read stories such as this one, many of them involving much more violence, torture and even death. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been forced to compare what others are confronting with the petty little inconveniences that have been tossed in my direction. With each story comes the challenge to absorb the adversities of everyday life and use them to point to the Savior.
All this is not to imply that the adversities which confront us aren’t real or important. Some of them are not only difficult, they are often major set-backs. Taking the wind out of our sails and threatening to upset our entire journey with Him. However, passages like the one for today always remind me of Paul’s attitude whenever adversity invaded his plans. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:18-19). And in another place he said, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed …. knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus …. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 14, 17).
Now go take on your world. - Bill
1. When Faith is Forbidden, Moody Press, pg. 84.