1 - Introduction - Living like a real Christian 9a - Blessed are those who are persecuted _1_ | Page 10
When you reflect upon these things not only do you realise that persecution can
be good for the church, but it illustrates the principle that God truly does do His
best work in the dark.
I love this principle because it makes me realise that there is a purpose to
suffering. There is a purifying aspect to it, and there is something good that God
does through, not just persecution, but through times in our lives when things
don’t always go according to plan. If we, as believers, can hold onto this ideal
through times of darkness, there will one day come a day when God will reveal
in the light what He has been doing in the night. Won’t you in times like this,
continue to love Him, worship Him, fellowship with His church and continue to
live for the cause for which He died.
Prayer Thought: What a glorious truth to ponder on today. Won’t you pray
through the thinking of God’s good work in the dark of your life and pray again
for those who are going through dark times in persecuted countries, thanking
God for their example and committing yourself to doing the same.
Saturday
Reading: Revelation 7 v 9 – 17
Today’s thought may sound almost contradictory in light of some of the things
that we have spoken about. So far we have discussed the dilemma of the
persecuted and the apparent sadness and tragedy that goes with their situation.
But today I want to tell you do not feel sorry for them! These people have made
the greatest investment that they could ever have made. If you could ask these
people if they have any regrets they would laugh at you and say, none at all, we
would gladly do it again!
Jim Elliott, a missionary martyred in South America, said this: “He is no fool
who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” This statement is
so incredibly true. The martyrs today are reaping the reward for their
courageous lives. As you read the reading today, you get a greater
understanding of the magnitude of this blessing that the martyrs have received.
There is not one of them who would have any regrets as to how their lives, albeit
shortened here on earth, have turned out.
The challenge that comes to us as Christians today is one that we derive from
that which we see in the life and the death of these martyrs. We too have been