If you missed yesterday, Day:8, you can find it here.
James 1:2 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
What would I do if someone were torturing me until I denied Jesus? That was the thought that I had this morning while I read story after story about people in Africa who are tortured for being a Christian. I think about it often; because it is so easy for Christians in the United States to claim they’ll serve Jesus no matter what. But if it really came down to it, what would I do?
I couldn’t come up with an answer, since I’ve never really been persecuted. Sure, people make comments, or jokes, or insults. I’ve been spit at, cussed out and even had a bottle thrown my way from a speeding vehicle. But really, that doesn’t feel like persecution. Nobody has ever twisted my arms behind my back into a figure eight, tied them so tight they swelled up 4 times the normal size until they actually burst; then contract gangrene from that and need several amputations… all for simply following Jesus. I was moved by a quote relayed by a missionary from one of his friends who had been taken from his family and never returned (since 2004). The man told the missionary not to pray for the persecution to stop, but for the persecuted to be bold and to stand for Jesus no matter what happened.
To me, that was powerful. We think we should be praying for believers in persecuted places to have persecution end; but this man simply asked for the strength to get through persecution. James 1:2 says to consider it pure joy. I don’t normally think about celebrating through trials, but that’s often because I have a limited view of eternity. Ultimately, if making Jesus more known worldwide is the goal; and if persecution helps to spread His name, then being persecuted is a joyful experience and opportunity. I don’t think I am there yet… but maybe one day?
How do you think you would respond to persecution, even unto death?
Written by Sean
Topics: Sean's Blog