Text: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake” (Matthew 5:11).
Jesus tells us to rejoice and be glad when we are persecuted. That is kind of strange. Why should we be happy when we are being hurt or wronged or mistreated or victimized? Could persecution be good for us? Could it give us a different view of life that might be beneficial to us? Maybe persecution would help us focus more on what God has in store for us in heaven than what man has in store for us on earth. There is a possibility that persecution might just strengthen our faith.
Have you ever been persecuted or mistreated or offended? I would venture to say that most of us have been offended in one way or another. Have you ever been talking to someone and that person uses the name of your Lord in vain? If so, did that offend you? Have you ever tried to witness and the individual you are witnessing to rejects what you are saying and the person comes up with a dozen reasons why you are completely wrong? Were you offended?
Were you ever offended in Sunday School class because your opinion or your answer to the teacher’s question was laughed at? As a Christian, do you find that people tend to shy away from you and refer to you as a Jesus nut or Jesus freak?
A religious paper tells of the reporters who rushed to see Pastor Martin Niemoeller after his release from prison that they might get some juicy words to print in their newspaper. Instead, they heard a stirring Gospel message and one reporter was heard to say: “Six years in a Nazi prison camp and all he has got to talk about is Jesus Christ.” (Gospel Herald)
Pastor Martin did not care about what people thought of what he had to say. He was not one to sing “the blues”. Yes, he was persecuted and mistreated while in the Nazi prison camp, but his faith grew stronger and stronger because he knew where his strength and courage came from. The German guards made his life miserable, but Pastor Martin’s eyes were focused on his Savior. He became a living example of what Jesus could do in the life of a persecuted man.
Life for the Christian is not a bed of roses. How many of you have lived a life free of persecution, problems, difficulties, hardships, trials, or tribulations? Have you received everything you asked for? Have all your wants been met? Did you acquire the job you really wanted? Did you get to marry the person you always dreamed of spending your life with? Because you and your spouse were Christians, did the two of you always agree on everything? I believe that you would agree with me that life is not a bed of roses. Life has not been easy, but life has been good. Life has been good because our Savior always gives us the best if we just let him be in control.
Jesus promised an abundant life to all who would follow him. He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). It is a rude awakening to some people when they find out that the abundant life is not a life free of stress, tension, battles and conflicts. The Christian is still attacked by doubt, worry and fear, but with faith in Jesus and the Holy Spirit within, there is nothing to be concerned about. Satan likes to make Christians unhappy, miserable, depressed and negative in thought. This happens when the Christian loses hope and lets Satan rule his or her life. We Christians must remember that “He who is in you (us) is greater than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4).
The daily newspaper is a very depressing piece of print. Every page contains articles of evil or wickedness. Lives are being destroyed because of drug deals, road rage, domestic problems, jealously leading to stabbing or shooting of another person or persons, house invasions, school house incidents, disgruntled employees and a host of other wicked acts. It is easy for people to be frightened and depressed when they read of all these evil events that take place on a daily basis. Satan is very strong in the world, but God is much stronger. Satan is doing all he can in the world because he knows that soon the end will come for him. The power that Satan has now is not forever or for eternity.
Satan will be destroyed when he is thrown into the lake of burning sulfur. Scripture states, “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). The beast, the false prophet and Satan will sing “the blues” for all eternity.
When Paul became a Christian and began preaching very powerful messages, he upset the Jews and had to flee for his life more than once. Other Christians looked at Paul with distrust because of what he had done before becoming a Christian. As you might recall, in Lystra, Paul was stoned, dragged out of the city and left for dead. There were times when Paul sang”the blues.” When we read his letters, we find Paul discouraged more than once. Paul said, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24). Paul was a miserable man.
I believe that at one time or another each of us have cried out, “O wretched, miserable, unpleasant, unhappy, unfortunate man, woman or child that I am.” We, too, become discouraged and sing “the blues”. Maybe we have lost our job, lost a loved one, family break-up or sickness. When these things occur in our lives, we usually complain and start to feel sorry for ourselves. The burdens of life can be overwhelming.
O.G. Wilson wrote, “I murmured because I had to walk four blocks from the parking lot to my office. Then I saw a man who was sick, hungry, and unable to take a step and yet whose smile was as cheery as the chirp of the first robin of spring. I complained because the light was poor. Then I met a man radiantly happy, from whose eyes all sight had been lost due to and accident. I complained about paying so much income tax until I visited a nursing home where a penniless man was singing joyously the triumphant songs of grace.”
When our spirit is a spirit of complaining and self-pity, we project to people around us a lack of faith in our Lord and Savior. Too often we focus on our own problems instead of praising the Lord for all he has given us and for all he has done for us.
Have you ever felt your life is not important or that you are not capable of contributing anything worthwhile to family, employer, church, social group, etc.? Sometimes people have an inferiority complex. They don’t feel like they are as good as the next person. Everyone else can do better and greater things in life. A feeling like this has led many people to committing suicide. Sometimes senior citizens feel that no one cares if they exist or not. They feel as though they are put “out to pasture” to graze until the Lord calls them home. In situations like these, it is difficult to refrain from singing “the blues.”
Each one of us needs to exhibit confidence in ourselves. In other words, we need to maintain an attitude of self-confidence. If we don’t, we will always be negative in our thinking. We will always think we are “behind the 8- ball” and there is no way we can get a straight shot in the game of life.
Satan likes to make us believe we are not capable of getting a job promotion, getting married, starting a family, buying a home, being a good mom, dad, grandma or grandpa. Satan likes to instill in our minds negative thoughts. When a hurricane arises or when thunder, lightening, strong winds, or heavy rains come our way, Satan likes for us to worry and be fearful that our house may be struck by lightening or destroyed by the wind and rain.
It is during these moments that we must remember who is in control. This is not a time to be singing “the blues”, but it is a time to praise God for protecting us and keeping us safe. God does not overlook us or forget about us. He is with us every moment of our lives.
Stop for a moment and think of the many situations Jesus faced. First of all, He was born in a stable. How many of us were born in a stable? His birth troubled Herod the king so that Herod, “…set forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under…” (Matthew 2:16). Did your birth trouble anyone except your mother?
After His baptism, by John, in the Jordan River, Jesus was led out into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. He knows what temptation is and how temptation can destroy our relationship with the Father. Jesus knows when we are tempted and He will help us overcome temptation if we will just call upon Him.
Jesus was beaten or scourged (John 19:1) until he looked like a raw piece of meat. He was spit upon (Matthew 26:67) and a crown of thorns (John 19:2) pushed into his scalp. He was blindfolded and struck in the face (Luke 22:64). He was mocked and treated with contempt (Luke 23:11). Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples by the name of Judas (Matthew 26:47). Jesus was denied three times by Peter (Luke 22:61). Jesus was led away to be crucified, “…like a lamb to the slaughter…” (Isaiah 53:7). “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering…he was despised…he was pierced for our transgressions...and he was oppressed and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:3, 5, 7). They drove spikes through his hands and feet and pierced his side with a spear.
Was Jesus persecuted or wronged or mistreated or victimized? Yes he was! Did Jesus sing “the blues”? No! Each of us has been taken advantage of or persecuted in very minor ways compared to what Jesus went through for each of us. Do we have a right to sing “the blues”? I don’t think so. What did Jesus do during all this activity and mistreatment? He stayed in touch with the Father through prayer. Let’s follow his example and do the same thing.
Conclusion:
Living the Christian life is not always smooth and comfortable. There are hills and valleys as well as detours and curves. There are storms of disappoint and heartache bringing waves of sadness upon us. There are trials and tribulations which should make us stronger in our faith because we know “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8).
The Apostle Paul had a difficult life, but he knew that no matter how bad things seem to be, God was working out the details for his good. When Paul and Silas were in prison, they continued to praise and give thanks to God. “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25). Paul and Silas did not sing “the blues”. They were at perfect peace because they knew the Lord would never leave them nor forget them.
If you really want to know how to escape “the blues” here are some pointers:
1. Love your enemies
2. Do for others – go the second mile
3. Turn the other cheek
4. Keep your word
5. Keep your thoughts pure
6. Do not hold a grudge
7. Let your light shine
8. Be positive in thought and deed
9. Help the needy
10. Pray always
11. Store up treasures in heaven
12. Do not worry
13. Do not criticize
14. Do not judge
15. Ask, seek, knock
16. Build your future on solid rock
Remember that you are a child of God and he has given you everything to keep you from singing “the blues.” He gave each of us the Holy Spirit that lives within our hearts and “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4). There is peace in knowing that God loves us and sent his Son to pay for our sins. With peace in our hearts, there will be no need for us to sing “the blues”. Listen to these words:
Perfect Peace…
I look not back – God knows the fruitless efforts,
The wasted hours, the sinning and regrets;
I leave them all with Him that blots the record,
And graciously forgives, and then forgets.
I look not forward – God sees all the future,
The road that’s short or long, will lead me home;
And he will face with me its every trial,
And bear for me the burden that may come.
I look not around me – then would fears assail me,
So wild the tumult of life’s restless sea;
So dark the world, so filled with war and evil,
So vain the hope of comfort and of ease.
I look not inward – that would make me wretched,
For I have naught on which to stay my trust;
Nothing I see but failures and shortcomings,
And weak endeavors crumbling into dust.
But I look up – up into the face of Jesus!
For there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled;
And perfect peace and hope bring ease
And there is joy, and love, and light fulfilled.
(author unknown)
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you for my sake” (Matthew 5:11).
Amen.
