June 25
2 Kings 8:1-9:13 | PS 143:1-12 | Prov 17:26 | Acts 16:16-40
It is a harsh realization, but the fact is, if we choose Christ, we will face persecution, trials, etc. Notice in these verses, there is no question as to if we will suffer. In 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”. In John 15:20, Jesus said, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…”. In Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” So, why are we shocked or disillusioned when persecution comes our way. Why are we surprised, when we think we are behaving in a manner which honors God, that even those in our family attack us. We have been told. The only question, is how do we respond.
We read in Acts 16:22-24, Paul and Silas were simply moving forward in the Spirit being obedient vessels for the Lord, “Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.” But we see their response in 16:25, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Earlier we read of Peter and some of the others’ response after being persecuted by the members of the Sanhedrin in Acts 5:41, “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”
They were persecuted in a large way, why do we believe we will escape it. They rejoiced, why do we so often complain. We read in Psalm 143, from the lips of David, as he is once again facing persecution. We read his response in 143:8-11, “Cause me to hear your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; In You I take shelter. Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake, bring my soul out of trouble.” We need to see Him and praise Him and lean on Him during both mountaintop and valley experiences. He will use all of these experiences to groom us into the vessels of His choosing. But we must make the decision to seek Him or complain. To grow in Him or not.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: