DAY 26: WHEN PERSECUTION ARISES III
THE RHEMA WORD FOR TODAY
(A DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH PREACHER SAM)
TOPIC: WHEN PERSECUTION ARISES III
DATE: 26 SEPTEMBER, 2019
BIBLE READING: ROMANS 8:35-39
MEDITATION/MEMORY VERSE: ISAIAH 40:31 (NKJV)
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
From our Bible reading, Paul had written that persecution and hardship cannot separate us from Christ's love. Before he wrote, “we are more than conquerors.”
And from our verse for meditation, Prophet Isaiah started with, “wait on the Lord”, and waiting on the Lord involves bearing the cross (Matt. 10:38; Luke 9:23), then he went on by saying that they shall never be tired of running and walking.
Persecution looks terrifying but God says we should take heart, because there's always a prize for enduring hardship (Matt. 5:10-12).
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Some Christians pass through some hardship which are not for spiritual growth. They experience pains from poverty, sicknesses and diseases, thinking it's their fate. The Bible says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”(James 1:17).
To be persecuted does not mean that way, but it means to suffer for the sake of the gospel (1 Peter 4:14-16).
When you read Luke 9:22-26 you will observe that Jesus Christ was preparing the disciples of the upcoming persecution that they will face at the course of preaching the gospel. And in the next chapter, Jesus sent out the 72 (Luke 10:1-3).
Now let's bring this devotional in a nutshell; Suffering for the sake of the gospel always come with a prize.
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
ACTION POINT: IF CHRIST COULD FACE PERSECUTION FOR MY SAKE, WHY WILL I NOT BE READY TO FACE IT TOO FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL?
PRAYER POINT: O GOD! HELP ME BY YOUR GRACE TO BE READY TO ENDURE THE CROSS.
PERSONAL READING: LUKE 9:22-26
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