Darkness cannot tolerate light.

We live in uncertain times – thanks be to God for His certainty. We live in times of seeming hopelessness – thanks be to God for the hope of Christ that anchors our soul.
The world is dark – thanks be to God for the light of Christ. We are strangers in this world – thanks be to God that we have the promise of an eternal home.

The Scripture is consistent that suffering and persecution are to be expected; they hated our Savior, so in turn, they will hate us. Yet within our thoughts, suffering and persecution seem inconsistent with the blessing promised by Christ. Our challenge is to confront our thinking with the consistent truth of God’s Word; to ready ourselves for warfare; to embrace the urgency of the hour and stand firm in persevering faith. As we know more deeply the character of God and we long for His glory to unfold, so we are comforted and empowered to live a life of faith regardless of suffering and persecution.
The book of Acts is such a powerful example of our response to persecution. Consider the prayer of Acts 4:27-30. When persecution came, they rested in the sovereignty of God and prayed for boldness and confidence in their teaching and preaching of Jesus. Later in Acts 5:42, the disciples went right on with what God had called them to in spite of opposition. Again in Acts 7 when Stephen was stoned to death – martyred for his boldness to preach Christ as the promised Messiah – a great persecution arose and the church scattered to fulfill the command of Acts 1:8.
Let us be encouraged to rest in the sovereignty of God; to know unfalteringly that God is in control; that His glory is our passion…regardless.
Cindy