Persecuted, But Not Forsaken

Psalms 129:1-2 "Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth," let Israel now say— "Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me."

It is very easy to see that Israel has suffered much persecution throughout its history as a people and a nation. Much of its suffering was caused by their own choice to turn their back on God, and worship other gods. Nonetheless, even in times of peace, their enemies always lurked in waiting, and were always looking for the right time to strike at them. The church today is no different. My brothers and sisters, can I remind us all today that we are in a war? Have we forgotten that we have enemies that do not sleep? Satan and his army are always working and waiting for just the right opportunity to strike. 1 Peter 5 reminds us that Satan goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The lion hunts and attacks the weak and the sickly. So it is when we become weak and sickly, as individuals, because of a lack of prayer and study of God's Word, that we become targets for the devils. What we fail to see is that when we, as individuals are weak, we also weaken the local church. Yes, when we become the weakest link, the devils use us to cause discord and division amongst the brethren. Sadly, we do not even realize it because we are often too busy misusing God's Word (just as the devils do) to prove our false positions. However we, as the church, should not be surprised when the enemy launches attacks against us. Like Israel, we are constantly surrounded, and always potentially vulnerable, as not everyone in God's army is ever diligently studying, praying, and walking in the Spirit. Nonetheless, there is hope. I love that the psalmist, even in remembering the affliction, quickly turns the corner and says, "Yet..." We too can quickly turn the corner, when we experience persecution, as individuals or as the church, and say, "Yet, they have not prevailed..." The fact of the matter is that Jesus said that He will build His church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Even the Apostle Peter tells us not to think of fiery trials as some strange thing that happens to us; but instead we are to rejoice to the extent that we partake of Christ's sufferings, because one day we will rejoice when His glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12-13). So I want to remind us today that if we are suffering or feeling discouraged because of a fiery trial, individually or as the church, rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for Jesus; and know that the Lord will fulfill His promise to continue building His church. Like the Apostle Paul, we can look back at all the times we, or the church, have been in the heat of the battle and been carried through by the Lord. When it is all said and done we can truly stand on the words of 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-".

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). 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 His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).