The Path of Persecution and Suffering

Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

We are supposed to have empathy for the wounded and hurting.

Empathy for the lost, the oppressed, the afflicted, the wayward, the tormented, the saint, the backslider.

The suffering of God’s people. What is accomplished in our suffering?

1 Peter 5:10 - But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:12 - If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

The road was never promised to be easy, but God always promised he would be there with us.

Joshua 1:5 - There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Think back to circumstances or things you have been through. Can you see His footprints in the sand beside your own?

Joshua 1:9 - Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

In our suffering he hears us. When David cried out in his distresses for direction the Lord was there and showed him the way and granted him victory. Saul sought David to kill him so he suffered persecution during that time.

David cried out to God in the midst of his struggles. He struggled with his faith but he never remained in that state. He concludes every Psalm praising God and giving Him glory.

Psalms 77:1 - I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

Remember when Elijah ran from Jezebel. He suffered persecution after proclaiming the word of the Lord and they sought to kill him. Elijah ran because he was afraid. Jezebel threatened his life.

1 Kings 19:2 - Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.

Elijah was so discouraged that he desired to die.

1 Kings 19:4 - But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

The Lord sent him nourishment and after a discussion commanded Elijah to return.

Job was upright and found great favor in the sight of the Lord but he suffered great loss in every aspect. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

Job 1:20-21 - Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Even though he suffered he retained his integrity with the Lord and God got him through it and he was rewarded greatly in the latter end than he was in the beginning.

Suffering is a part of life. Jesus suffered not only on the cross but in preparation of what he knew that he must face. His mental anguish was as great drops of blood.

Luke 22:44 - And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Suffering humbles us.

Micah 6:8 - He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

What did God say we should do to them who cause us to suffer or persecute us?

Matthew 5:44-45 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

No one can escape things the Lord sets in motion. Did the just escape COVID and not the unjust? Were just people the only to die in the 2004 tsunami that hit Indonesia where 227,898 died?

But blessings can come from persecution and suffering. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was quick to mention the blessing that would come to all who experienced suffering and persecution for His sake.

Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

He knew back in His day what we would face. Jesus said in John 15:18 - If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

When Christians are persecuted, they can rest in the knowledge that Jesus understands their pain. He knows what it is like to be hated and mocked. He knows what it is like to be put to death. In the midst of your suffering, He will be your comfort.

It is in our weaknesses that God is able to demonstrate His power. Therefore, when we suffer persecution, we are able to lean on the Lord and trust that He will get us through whatever comes.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

The Lord’s promises are sure. No matter the suffering or persecution He will be with us and keep us.

Isaiah 43:2 - When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.