Let’s see: Getting into the zone of
proper worship and attention; Prayer, scriptural study, …more prayer…more
study…what am I missing? Why am I not hearing from You? I’ve been in silence,
and fasting for one whole day now…
Oh yes, confession, OK, there is that,
Lord: Let me confess and pray not only to You, but with those reading so that
our joy might be made complete.
I might be falling into old patterns;
confusing the act of sharing with others
with that of impressing others. Rid
me of pride; fill me with Your spirit to the point where there is no room for
distraction or invasion by my personal desires.
"Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
"Blessed are those who
are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when
others insult 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 5:9-12
Lord, help me in my understanding of persecution.
There are plenty of examples; too many in fact. I’m confused in what role You
want me to take regarding the plight of the persecuted.
I know that the circumstantial
persecution I and those in my land now experience is minuscule in comparison to our past. There is
certainly greater persecution that exists in other parts of the world today.
Does the degree of suffering by the persecuted or the amount of persecution
being dispersed worldwide (past, present or future) really make a difference?
Do You care any more or less for one afflicted group verses another?
Even if now I don’t feel very
persecuted, does that mean I have not been, nor will I suffer at the hands of
others? Does my lack of present persecution tempt me to play dress up, trying to look like I’m
subject to difficult trials so that others will see me as a good Christian?
And what of the future?
I know that the closer I walk with You,
the more likely that I will experience certain persecution. I also understand
that one way to know that I am following You closely is by the magnitude of my
persecution. Is this “unsettled” feeling within me a sense of guilt that I am
not close enough in my walk with You? Or is my discomfort evidence that You are
preparing my spirit for things to come? I’m beginning to think, both.
Regardless of why I’m uncomfortable, I believe that You want me to better
understand the condition of the
persecuted and to explore what real
persecution looks like.
There is of course the Webster
definition of Persecute, but I think You want me to focus on Your definition.
In the Old Testament, the word Persecution and its variations (Persecute;
Persecuted) is mentioned 161 times. In the New Testament, the Greek equivalent
is used 49 times. In all cases it implies being pursued/followed to be
destroyed. In most Biblical examples and the related history of Your people,
those who persecute literally run after, usually with hostile
intent; figuratively, chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt,
persecute, pursue .
But most confusing and compelling are
Your defining comments in Matthew chapter 5. Those who are persecuted for
righteousness sake are blessed! Those who are insulted, persecuted, falsely
accused for Your name’s sake, Jesus, are blessed and should rejoice! Honestly, these
do not sound like circumstances deserving celebration.
Then I read Hebrews 12 and an equally
amazing statement jumps out. The author states:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so
closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking
to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right
hand of the throne of God.”
If You were the true model, the
perfect definition of the persecuted
during Your walk in this world; shouldn't I be seeking out those whose walk
looks like Yours today? Shouldn't I be encouraging them with Your message of
salvation, running alongside them towards a deeper relationship with the One
who sacrificed everything for them?
Lord, does such a ministry look
like? There are legitimate secular and faith-filled groups who are already
raising the conscientiousness of the world concerning persecution. But who is
trying to reach out to non-believing and believing victims alike? Who is
uniting them, not around their individual strife, but seeking to bond with them
in recognition of our common Savior? Who is helping the persecuted, running with
them toward a finish line which may require traveling a continued path persecution?
Who is being honest enough not to promise the persecuted a false hope of relief
in this world while preparing for the spiritual relief You offer for eternity?
Lord, am I capable of enduring such a
mission? Can I run such a race?
*******
