Blessed amid Persecution
Have you ever replied to someone giving you advice, “That’s easier said than done.” Jesus ended the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount this way: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10–12). It’s a lot easier to hear those words than live in the midst of persecution and truly feel blessed.
This weekend, we’ll hear about how the prophet Jeremiah was rejected by the people to whom the Lord sent him. As you read through the book of Jeremiah and his book Lamentations, you will at times hear Jeremiah seeming to question the whole concept of being blessed amid persecution. Yet he continued steadfast in the faith, not softening any of the Lord’s message to His people concerning their rebellion against Him and the harsh judgment that was to come. If you are going to endure all that Jeremiah endured, you had better be very confident that the words you are sharing are God’s truth.
That is also the case for many of our brothers and sisters in the faith throughout the world who face terrible threats. Open Doors International (opendoors.org) reports that more than 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. 1 in 7 Christians are persecuted worldwide, including 1 in 5 in Africa and 2 in 5 in Asia. 4,476 Christians were murdered last year, 7,679 churches and Christian properties were attacked, 4,744 Christians were imprisoned, and 209,771 Christians were forced to leave their home, go into hiding, or leave the country. And this is just what is reported.
As we read those statistics, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is thanksgiving for the freedoms we’ve been blessed with and a prayer asking that we never lose them. We also offer prayers for relief and strength for our brothers and sisters in Christ facing such terrible persecution. But then we may also stop and ask, “If I were ever persecuted for my faith, how would I react? Would I hold steadfast to Jesus who is holding on to me, or would I crumble under pressure?”
“Fear not! I am with you, O be not dismayed, For I am your God and will still give you aid; I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.” LUTHERAN SERVICE BOOK #728, V. 2