Once at a Bible study, the teacher opened with the question, “Can anything good come from persecution?” How would you answer that question? And how do you respond when it does come?” Because persecution, mistreatment, and rejection do come to us all.
It’s not always life-threatening. Sometimes it comes in more subtle ways, sometimes from our own family members and friends and that hurts. So, how does God use persecution for good and how might He be using it for good in your life and mine? And the most important question is, will we respond in godly ways, ways that will enable us to benefit and God to receive glory?
Today’s Readings:
1 Samuel 4 & 5
Psalm 54.1-7
Proverbs 15.12-13
Luke 21.1-19
Can Anything Good Come from Persecution?
1 Samuel 4 & 5:
God is Always at Work
Here we have another sad time in Israel’s history when God withdrew His immediate presence and protection from them because of their willful disobedience and idolatry. But this narrative leaves no doubt that even when people may not make the connection, God is always at work in the affairs of men.
That is true today, as well as, in Old Testament times. I once read that the word “history” actually means “His-story” and I certainly believe that’s true. So the question is, “What is God doing today?” How does everything that’s happening in our world—whether politics, wars, recessions, natural disasters, or even pandemics, play into His plan and purposes?
He is there in the blessing and protection, but also in the withdrawal of blessing and protection.
That leads right into our Luke passage.
Luke 21.1-19:
He Is Coming
This portion of Scripture, like Matthew 24, Mark 13, and other passages, talks about many of the events that point to Christ’s imminent return. Many of these things appear to be happening today, pointing to the possibility that, while we don’t know the day or the time, He could come back soon. So, what can we expect and what did Jesus say we should be doing in the meantime?
A Time of Testing & Persecution
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, … But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony (vv. 12-13).
First, while we don’t need to go looking for it, we shouldn’t be surprised by persecution! Instead of being upset or complaining, we should see it as an occasion for sharing our testimony and the truth about God.
Look at what Peter wrote to the persecuted believers in his time:
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed (1 Pet. 3.13-16).
If that sounds scary and you think, “I don’t know enough” or “I might mess it up,” remember verses 14 and 15 in our Luke passage:
Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
That should be comforting and extremely encouraging.
From Our Own Families
Sadly, sometimes we get opposition and experience persecution from our own families:
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake (vv. 16-17).
Though it may not always be the kind of betrayal that costs you your life, it can hurt to be left out of family events, told you’re turning your back on your family’s religion, or called self-righteous.
But we can trust God in all of this:
But not a hair of your head shall be lost (v. 18).
We will not suffer eternal loss no matter the cost here on earth. In fact, there will be crowns in heaven for those who have suffered here for Christ and His cause.
Remain Patient & Humble with Your Persecutors & Critics
By your patience possess your souls (v. 19).
That means being patient even with our persecutors, critics, or those who treat us unfairly.
As Paul told Timothy:
… avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will (2 Tim. 2.23-26).
The Good that Comes from Persecution
So, how does God use persecution for good? As we have seen in these passages, it is an opportunity for us to respond in Christ-honoring ways. When we do, people see the peace and kindness of God at work in our lives and it brings God glory.
It can also provide opportunities for us to share our testimonies and the gospel as Stephen did in Acts 7.
Persecution also purifies the church. True believers remain and those who were Christians in name only often turn away (Jn. 6.25-66).
Finally, as with all tests and trials, persecution grows us when we respond to it in godly ways:
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it (Heb. 12.7-11).
So let’s keep an eternal perspective, let’s depend on Him to help us be faithful, let’s learn to respond in Christ-honoring ways, and let’s look forward to His return!
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Rev. 22.20)
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 54.1-7:
Praying in Times of Distress
We’re often told to read and pray the Psalms when we go through times of distress and trouble. As we do, we can pour out our hearts to God just as the psalmists did. Psalm 54 is a great example of that.
Proverbs 15.12-13:
“Don’t Bother Me with the Facts!”
A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, nor will he go to the wise (v. 12).
When someone is bent on going her own way, she doesn’t want to hear what anyone has to say about it. As the expression goes, “Don’t bother me with the facts!”
How About You?
How do you respond when someone rebukes or corrects you? Or when someone suggests you might be making a mistake? Pride makes us defensive and unteachable. Humility, on the other hand, accepts criticism, even unjustified criticism, with love, patience, and grace.
How have you responded when you faced times of persecution? Are there some ways that you have seen good come from those times? How do you want to respond in the future? Are you preparing yourself to respond God’s way in the future?
Finally and most importantly, would you be ready if He was to return today?
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about responding when you feel like you have let God down or when you feel like you continue to fight the same spiritual battle over and over, and how to tell the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them.
If you would like to receive a FREE downloadable and printable Bible study through the book of Mark, you can click here for more information.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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