Spirit and Life Devotional is a daily publication by Pastor Chinaemerem Ibezim, senior pastor of Able Ministers Chapel, a church based in Calabar, Cross River State.
[pull_quote_center]”Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:12 [/pull_quote_center]
One thing every Christian can expect, is persecution. Yes, it may not be one of the promises we love to claim for ourselves, but it’s surely one to expect: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” II Timothy 3:12
When we are persecuted, the good news is that we can also expect to be delivered from it. Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.” II Timothy 3:10-11. Psalm 34:19 says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
Maybe you are being persecuted, and it’s like God has abandoned you: no, He hasn’t; He is very pleased with you! Endure to the end, there’s a great reward for you in Heaven. Jesus was severely persecuted, the apostles and early believers were greatly persecuted, we too will be persecuted in different ways: it’s a promise; and thankfully, there’s also a promise of deliverance. I pray that the grace to endure will be released to you now. Amen.
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