Daily Devotions
Blessed Are the Persecuted
Reading for January 7: Genesis 24-25
Weekly reading for January 7-13: Matthew 5-9
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.
Matthew 5:11-12
It's not easy to be different. We crave acceptance. We don't want to stand out. We want to fit in and belong.
When we sense that popular opinion is going against us it's our instinct to protect ourselves. We don't want to be the lone voice. We don't want to challenge the status quo by ourselves. We want people to be liked. Unfortunately, in this kingdom we're not given the luxury of remaining silent. If we are following the King's orders and calling others to follow him, we aren't going to be liked.
It's always been that way. The prophets weren't accepted. They were subjected to all sorts of abuse, both physical and emotional. They lived hard and difficult lives, but in the end they received their reward. And we will receive our reward, so long as we are willing to suffer.
If you want to be liked, then don't talk about Jesus. Never say anything about the Kingdom. Keep your mouth shut and mind your own business. Most will leave you alone. But if you want to practice radical discipleship, follow Jesus into the synagogues and challenge the status quo. Challenge others with kingdom righteousness. Sure, it will get you in trouble, but it will also lead to a great reward in heaven.
Father, may we never be ashamed to speak your name before others. Give us the courage to take unpopular stands. Teach us to rejoice when we are persecuted. And may our trials only make us more focused on our reward.
