July 31, 2024 Devo

Wow! Take a moment to read again what Jesus said in our passage today. Lies, mocking, and persecution don’t sound like the kind of blessings from heaven that most of us are longing for. They are the kind of things we hope will never happen to us. But what Jesus is saying is that sometimes this kind of treatment is a part of what it means to live for God in a fallen world. When you make the commitment to live as a Christ-follower, not everyone will cheer for you. Not everyone will agree with you. And some will downright hate you for it. Though it’s not something you have to like, Jesus says a couple of things that you need to hear. One is that God will BLESS you. How? His power will be upon you, His presence will walk beside you, and His peace will be within you.
Jesus also reminds us that this life is not the end of the matter. Live faithfully, and you will have heaven as your permanent home. THAT’S where your true reward will be. Not here, THERE. The last thing Jesus says is that you’re not alone. Throughout history many people of God have been attacked for their faith: patriarchs, prophets, priests, apostles, and more. In fact, some of those who made the most impact here on earth are among those who have been treated the worst. If you don’t believe me, just look at what happened to Jesus Himself!
So, when you find yourself being treated harshly or unfairly because you’re trying to live righteously and follow Jesus closely, don’t curse your luck, rejoice in your opportunity. You’ve just joined a class of saints that everyone admires, but no one wants to belong to. Though it may not be fun or easy, my prayer is that you’ll be faithful and true. Because you will be among those who have suffered for the Savior and have paved the way for the rest of us. And that, my friend, is some Good Company to belong to! That’s God’s Word for you today.