October 13: When and Why Persecution is Worth It

Jeremiah 22:1-23:20

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Psalm 83:1-18

Proverbs 25:1-14

"…we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring." - 2 The 1:4

How were the Thessalonians were being persecuted.  One reference mentioned that "property was being seized.  Workers were stopped from practicing their trades.  Those who found a new faith were shunned by their families.  Some were insulted, some beaten, and some put to death."  I wish it didn't happen anymore.  Sadly, it still does.  Just a bit of research and one can read about how Christians are being killed and injured in Nigeria, where in July of last year, a gunman attacked a church and killed 12.  And in 2016, almost halfway around the world, a pastor was killed by North Koreans in a Chinese border town.  

One doesn't really have to go that far.  Right here, the government is demanding a Catholic order of nuns provide contraception and abortion coverage, and the Supreme Court found that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had shown hostility towards a baker's religious beliefs when the baker refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding.  That fight cost the baker a lot of money, as did the fight of a Washington florist who refused to provide decorations for a similar event.  

Why do people choose to suffer such hardship?  Paul - who himself suffered much for the Gospel - explains that "as a result, you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.  God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled…"

Paul's reassurances are good.  But as I was reflecting following a chat about our Lord with a friend yesterday, I don't have to take Paul's word for it.  That would be like concluding a restaurant's food was good from a food critic's words.  Far better to go and taste the food; far better to get into a relationship with our Lord.  

I think the baker, the florist, the pastor in North Korea, and all those in Nigeria have done as much, and have decided the suffering was worth it.  May we get to know Him as well, and come to the same conclusions.  

Father, help us to get to know You, through all the noise and disruption and distortion of the world, help us to see Your face, to grow to love You, and to conclude that yes, it is all worth it.