Power in the Face of Persecution

FRESH Official Podcast

Let’s be honest, it’s not a whole lot of fun when people disagree with you, when they persecute you even, because of the beliefs that you hold both genuinely and deeply. It’s only human to feel diminished, disappointed, dismayed. But it happens … and it’s going to get worse.

The persecution of minorities has been happening since time immemorial. Look at the Jewish nation: Down through their history, from ancient times through to the holocaust of the twentieth century and to the present-day conflicts they face, their enemies have been trying to wipe them from the face of the earth – something that seems to have been inherited by Christians. Indeed, more Christians have been martyred in this past century than in the previous nineteen combined.

Back in the day, the Apostles Peter and John were arrested and threatened for telling people about Jesus.

Acts 4:23-26 After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant: ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers have gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’(NRSV)

How did they respond to this outbreak of persecution? Did they cower, did they acquiesce, did they tear at their clothes? No! They raised their voices to proclaim God’s sovereignty over their tormentors. Hallelujah. Our King reigns!

People will persecute you for believing in Jesus. When it happens, turn to God, trust Him, proclaim His mighty name.

That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.