Welcome to the PoG Blog! Before reading the scripture, please pray the Holy Spirit will guide and direct your meditation on God’s word. Matthew 5:10 – 12
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Even though I have heard this scripture many times, my first thought when I read it today was that I can’t comprehend it – it doesn’t make any sense to me. Unfortunately, I generally try to avoid insults, persecution, and false accusations. The thought that someone would endure all of this and then actually rejoice and be glad in it just blows my mind. As we were watching the video in church today of the Laotian man who was imprisoned for witnessing to his faith and then beaten because he repeatedly smuggled Bibles into his prison, I keep wondering why he was doing it.
The only answer I can come up with for these questions is that these people have been radically transformed by the power of Jesus Christ in their lives. May I be transformed in a similar manner and may we always remember those who are being persecuted for their faith all over the world!
Please feel free to share your thoughts as you are moved by the Holy Spirit.
mark liebenow