ROMANS 8:36

“Just as it is written: ‘FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE REGARDED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.’”

I receive daily emails from Voice of the Martyrs. The stories they share humble me beyond words. Persecution is real today throughout the world. One report says that 32 Christians are killed every day in Nigeria. Only recently has the U.S. raised complaints to the Nigerian government about this. The government there, of course, denies such killings are taking place.

Paul wrote of such persecutions here in Romans and quoted Psalm 44:22 in today’s verse. The sons of Korah wrote this Psalm to encourage the followers of Jehovah to be brave in the midst of persecution. They tell them in the previous two verses, “20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or extended our hands to a strange god, 21 Would God not find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” God knows when and how we are facing any type of persecution for our faith. Submit to it as a badge of honor.

APPLICATION

Take a minute and examine your walk with Christ. Does it expose you to persecution? Are you fearful of being killed for your faith? I read in a missionary friend’s prayer letter today this request. “As we worship today at the local fellowship. Pray for our brothers and sisters who face incredible persecution. Every day we get new reports of believers being attacked or threatened. Pray they will be strong in the Lord and not in fear. The enemy can’t stop God’s work.” That’s an eyewitness to persecution in an unnamed country.

In the ministry in which I serve (Every Man A Warrior), we hear of our leaders facing similar threats. We have had some of our leaders kidnapped and others interrogated by police. As I sit here in the comfort of my home in TN, I do not face such threats. The worst I would be subject to is perhaps some chiding or rude comments. I encourage you to stand firm in your faith for the cause of Christ.

Pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. We are told in 1 Peter 5:9-10, “9 So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

Father, I praise You for the persecution You allow in our lives which drives us to our knees in obedience to Your calling. 

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