Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of being…doing right, according to His Word, according to His purpose and will…not our own. The word ‘persecuted’ means hunted, mistreated, troubled or harassed. Persecution doesn’t always mean sacrificial death or martyrdom, but a righteously lived life set apart as holy to the Lord. It can mean strained and difficult relationships, not being accepted, shunned, mocked, demeaned and… there are those imprisoned for their faith. The whole idea behind persecution is not just hatred for the One we serve, but an attempt to get us to renounce our faith or at least feel the consequences of being set apart for God. There’s no ‘going along to get along’ mind set for a believer who’s surrendered to God. God‘s blessing is enough for those who suffer for doing right. We’re continually reminded if suffering persecution, at any level, we’re blessed beyond measure. No matter what we’re going through, no matter our outward circumstances, our inner man has joy, is at peace, and is incredibly blessed knowing, not only is the reward the kingdom of heaven, but the kingdom of heaven is near, its doors are open. He asks us to consider persecution through the wisdom and knowledge of the spirit, and not the emotions, the feelings of the flesh. He promises something we know only in the spirit, something the flesh cannot see. He promises the reality of the eternal state of living in the Light…in His presence. What did Stephen ‘see’…after he presented truth to an angry crowd? As the stones pelted his body…as he was asking for forgiveness for those who persecuted him…Who did he see? Was the pain from the final stone taken away by the hand that lifted him up? Lord, we pray for Your strength in suffering, remind us we’re not alone, we’re never alone, You’re with us. Being in right standing with You means not being a right standing with the world. Remind us, Lord, that that’s OK.
