God's Promise to Us When - We Are Persecuted

Thought for Today - May - 7
God's Promise To Us When – We Are Persecuted
By: Robert A. Searles
     “Yea, And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus Shall suffer persecution” 2 Timothy 3: 12.
     Whatever comes our way, in the realm of trials, temptations, and persecution, we are assured  from the Holy Scriptures, that God sometimes wills and allows those things for our good, and perhaps for the good of those with whom we have an influence in our daily lives, so that,  perhaps they may witness our testimony of steadfastness for the Lord, and receive Christ and be saved.
     The  spread of the gospel, was greatly expedited by the persecution of the early martyrs,   in the early days of the church after the ascension of the Lord into heaven,
     Joseph was one who suffered persecution at the hands of his brothers when they became envious of him, and sold him into slavery; but this was meant for good for the saving of his family when they were  suffering a time of famine in their own land.  “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.'”  Genesis 50: 20.
     Jesus has promised us that there are great rewards in heaven waiting for those who suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness here on earth.
 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when men shall  revile you, and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. “ Matthew 5: 10-12.
     In the days ahead, some of us Christians may have to suffer some severe persecution, if the Lord does not return soon.  Because of our not being “politically correct”, and  by not denying our faith in Christ; the absolute authority of the word of God;  and the desire for righteous living, -  in the opinion of unbelievers and wicked persons, we who hold to the truth of the Word of God are the wrong doers and deserve to be punished and persecuted for righteousness sake.  Even so, let us, if and when we are called upon to suffer persecution for Christ, remember the promise of God, that the wicked and evil workers of iniquity who bring persecution upon us will soon be cut down, and those who belong to  Christ shall prevail  and be more than conquerors with him
.     “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed,  but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. Always bearing about in the body the dying of he Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live  are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.  So then, death worketh in us, but life in you. “ 2 Corinthians 4: 8-12.
     “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?  But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye, and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. 1 Peter 3:  13-14
     Let us not be boastful and over confident in our  own strength in the time of  persecution, as Peter did during the trial of Christ when he boasted that  he would never forsake  the Lord, but let us pray for one another that we may find grace in the time of need, and in the power of God remain faithful and steadfast in our faith.

                                      Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry
                                                                            Psalm 26:7