Do Not Be Surprised

Verse of the day: 1 Samuel 5:11, So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go back to its own place, so that it does not kill us and our people.” For there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

Are any of us really surprised when people respond negatively to the Gospel? Do we act as if something strange has happened when people reject us, when we bring them the message of Christ and what He did for us? Do we not expect to be persecuted? When things go bad for people, are we surprised that rather than go to God they grow bitterer toward Him? This is how hard-hearted and stiff-necked people are, and this is a fact we must not forget when we are proclaiming the Good News. As a matter of fact, when we read about the punishment that is in store for those who reject Christ, we read that there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in Luke 13:28 and Matthew 13:42. In both instances, the word “gnashing” not only denotes extreme anguish and despair, but it also means snarling and growling. The indication here is that in the midst of their pain, the lost will still have hatred in their hearts toward God. If that is so, why are we surprised when people react with vehement hatred toward the message we bring? The Philistines, after defeating the Israelites and bringing the Ark of God into the house of Dagon, were ravaged and struck with tumors (v. 6). Rather than turn from their pagan gods and turning toward God, they took the Ark to Gath where God struck them also (v. 9). The Philistines still refused to turn to God and took the Ark to Ekron where it is decided that the Ark must be sent back to its own place (v. 11). God struck them with such severity, that many died (v. 12). Yet, there was no repentance. There was no one who turned to the Lord of lords or the King of kings. This is the hard heart and stiff neck that we deal with when we go out to share Christ with others. My question is not only, “Are we surprised by this?” My question is also, “Should that stop us from proclaiming the Gospel message with boldness?” The short answer is, “No!” Jesus was very clear in His command to go preach the Gospel to every creature in Mark 16:15. Most of us are familiar with the “Great Commission” in Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Jesus also warned us that we would be hated, even as He was hated. In John 15:18-20, Jesus clearly said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 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. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” Along with the command to go and the warning that we would be hated and persecuted, Jesus also spoke words of encouragement for those times when people reject us and persecute us for living for Him and sharing His message with them. In Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Knowing all this, let us be faithful in living our faith and sharing it, with boldness and humility, and with every opportunity God give us.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).