June 27 – Matthew 5:10-11; Acts 5:17-42
Blessed are you, who is persecuted.
Let’s review the past blessings from the Sermon on the Mount right quick. Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. That right there makes a well rounded, strong in faith follower of Jesus, and this is what we strive to be like. These traits, coupled with the fruits of the Spirit, are like, wow!
These all lead up to the last blessing of the bunch: blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Once these characteristics become a natural state of being, these previous blessings will prepare us for the persecution that will come. Jesus did not say, ‘if it comes,’ He tells us it WILL come. And leave it to Jesus not to fight that battle on our own with no tools to obtain. He gives us the character traits we should strive to obtain to withstand what is to come.
We Americans are blessed in that we do not yet face outright horrific persecution, but we are starting to feel the pains of uncomfortableness. Right? We are beginning to feel the pinch and feel in our gut that our days of persecution are imminent.
Jesus reminds us that it is not just us they hate, but Him, they hated Him first. When we stand up to persecution, we stand firm in our belief and knowledge that Jesus is who He says He is. And He blesses us when we still refuse to sin in the face of that hate. We are to remain obedient to Him to bring glory to God!
Blessed are you who stand in the face of persecution with joy and rejoicing. Blessed are you who clothe yourself with meekness, peacefulness, reverence, hunger, and thirst. Blessed are you who believe without seeing!
My Verse: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” Matthew 5:10-11
My Response: My God, my God. Only You can make me strong in the face of unspeakable atrocities and persecution. Only You can arm me with the tools needed to do it without sinning. God I ask that You give me the strength and perseverance now to really know You and build my foundation strong upon You. I praise You, for You are Almighty, the High Priest; no one can topple You! My days are fleeting, this earth is withering away, and You are still just as You have always been!
(Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11)
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My verse: Acts 5:20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”
My response: I love that You, Lord Jesus, prepared Your disciples that not everyone would welcome the good news that God came to earth to save them and give them life. They were prepared in advance to expect hardship. I should be, too. Whether it’s easy or difficult, we who know You have a “message of life” to share. Help me to delight in speaking of You, even in times of persecution should they come!