Memorise: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have
peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world. John 16:33
Read: Hebrews 11:36-40 (KJV)
And others had trial of cruel
mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They
were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword:
they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted,
tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered
in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And
these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the
promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that
they without us should not be made perfect.
There are several challenges that will confront us as we progress in the
journey of faith, but none of them will dominate us. As a child of God, when
you pass through the fire, the mighty man in battle has promised that it will
not burn you. At one point or the other, your faith will be tried; your love
for God will be tested. There will be persecutions of all kinds. Because of
your belief in Christ, people will say all kinds of things against you. There
will be false accusations despite your level of commitment to your assignment.
No matter how good your intentions may be, sometimes, they may be spoken of in
an evil way. Many times these tribulations, trials and persecutions will come
from quarters you least expect. You should be bothered because the same people
who hailed the triumphant entry of Jesus were the same people, who said to
Pilate, crucify him. Have you been persecuted because of your faith and your
holy living? I congratulate you, because you are fulfilling your part of the
Christian calling. You have to know that the hostility of the world against
believers in Christ Jesus is a transferred hostility. We are not the first set
of people to be hated; the world hates us because they hated Jesus Christ.
Despite the innocence of the young shepherd boy, king Saul attempted to kill him
several times. You need to know that even in the household of faith, there are
king Sauls. They are ready to kill you, not because you have committed any
crime, but because they are uncomfortable with your standard of righteous
living.
On several occasions, Jesus Christ, before his final persecution on
earth, was persecuted by the people listening to Him in the synagogue. They did
not like the way He was preaching with so much authority. And they always rose
up against His good acts. What should you do in times of trials, tribulations
and persecutions? You must rejoice in the Lord.
When Paul was going through persecution, rather than murmur and complain,
he fellowshipped. No wonder he could say:
“Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these
things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:35, 37
He said this despite the fact that he was beaten with rods, he was
stoned, he suffered as shipwreck, and he was kept in the deep prisons. He
suffered in the hands of robbers as well as in the hands of his countrymen.
False brethren also surrounded him. There were times when situations and
circumstances of weariness, hunger, nakedness and the cares of his missionary
obligation threatened to discourage him, yet he finished well. You will finish
well in Jesus’ name.
Prayer
Point: Father, give me victory over every trial I come across.
Bible in one year: Genesis 24, Psalms 103:11-22
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