Are you being persecuted? Mistreated for righteousness’ sake? Spiritually blackballed, rejected, slandered, demoted, and discouraged from functioning? I know I sure have! Maybe you have even been physically persecuted. Let’s look at some scriptures about this subject.
You Are Blessed!
First Peter 3:13-17 says (New American Standard Bible):
And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
Keep on Rejoicing!
First Peter 4:12-16 and 19 say,
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God….Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
They may have rejected you for your likeness to Jesus, but rejoice! The Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you! Entrust your soul to your faithful Creator! He cares! He will comfort you and lift you up! He thinks you’re great!
Your Reward in Heaven Is Great!
Jesus said in Matthew 5:10-12,
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
I love those verses and have found comfort from them many times! If you are being persecuted for the sake of righteousness, the kingdom of heaven is yours! You will be Jesus’ wife and rule with Him one day! Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great!!!
God Cherishes You!
In Matthew 17:10-13 it says,
And His disciples asked Him [Jesus], saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; but I say to you, that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man [Jesus] is going to suffer at their hands.
Many people in John the Baptist’s day did not recognize him but did to him whatever they wished. Can you relate to John? Do people not recognize the life of Jesus in you? Do they not recognize your gifts and calling? God values you! You are loved! You are cherished! You are wanted! You are irreplaceable to Him!
You Are His Shulamite Bride!
Song of Solomon 5:6-8 says,
I [the Shulamite] opened to my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and had gone! My heart went out to him as he spoke. I searched for him, but I did not find him; I called him, but he did not answer me. The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me. They struck me and wounded me; The guardsmen of the walls took away my shawl [King James Version says “veil”] from me.
Can you relate to that Shulamite who diligently sought after her beloved? Our Beloved is none other than the Lord Jesus! Are you diligently seeking Him out of desperate love for Him? -And then some leaders (whoever they may be) come along and rip away your veil and beat you up? Do they wound and shame you? If so, we need to pray like Jesus did on the cross, “…Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” But at the same time, realize that GOD KNOWS WHO YOU ARE! JESUS KNOWS WHO YOU ARE! YOU ARE HIS SHULAMITE BRIDE! Knowing who He thinks you are frees you from the shame others try to heap on you! Only your Creator can define your identity!
You and Jesus Are Getting Closer!
Jesus understands you perfectly because He was persecuted constantly, even unto death! It’s also amazing to realize that your being persecuted helps you to understand Jesus better! Wow!!! Sharing in His sufferings is drawing you closer together! Hallelujah!
Comfort for You!
The Psalms of David in the Bible talk a lot about persecution, and you may find much comfort from them! I sure do!
If you would like to examine this topic a little further, I wrote something about this subject of persecution in one of my poetry booklets. It is #40, “To The Persecuted Prophets” in Journey To The Promised Land – Bride Of Jesus Ministry. I encourage you to check it out, even if you don’t consider yourself a prophet!
Press on, Shulamite! God is with you!
Send me a comment how I can pray for you if you are persecuted! Comment below or click the bubble box above. 🙂 You can also privately send me a message on the contact form on the Contacts page.
In closing, I want to recommend these four songs below that God has used to comfort me much this year when I felt persecuted. May God comfort you through them as well! [heart emoticon]
(755) Trenches (Lyric Video) by Tauren Wells – YouTube
Perfect Peace – Tauren Wells (Lyrics) – YouTube
(755) Tauren Wells – Carry On (Lyrics) – YouTube