Devotional for Persecution

Persecuting, according to Merriam Webster, means to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically: to cause to suffer because of belief. To annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (such as attacks, pleas, or importunities)

Persecution is then to be on the receiving end of the above definition.

There have been many races, groups, and religions that have been persecuted over the ages. Some for centuries and some for briefer periods of time.

I think everyone will acknowledge that Christians in some regions of our world are currently being persecuted.

I can't fathom living in constant danger because of my love for Jesus.

At the same time, let's look once more at the second part of the above definition. To annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (such as attacks, pleas, or importunities). 

In the United States, God has been removed from our public schools, public buildings, and courtrooms. The Bible is seen as irrelevant to many people. Some high schools have been under attack for pregame prayers or Christian student clubs. Some employers don't allow the wearing of crosses, but, by law, have to let other religious items. More and more children's sporting events are being scheduled on Wednesday nights and Sundays. And the sanctity of marriage is viewed as outdated.

To annoy with persistent or urgent approaches.

In marriage and family life, persecution can look like:

• Your kids being mocked at school for believing the Bible
• Family members rolling their eyes or cutting you off because you won’t compromise
• Your spouse feeling pressured to hide their faith at work to keep the job
• Choosing Jesus together when it costs social invitations, promotions, or family approval

Please don't mistake my point. I'm not comparing our plights to those who have to hide their Bibles and meet in secret.

But let's also not miss the persistent and urgent approaches to remove God and Christianity from our country systematically.

None of us naturally loves being persecuted. We want to be liked. We hate conflict. When we’re mocked, excluded, or attacked for our faith, it hurts. That doesn’t make you weak or ashamed; it makes you human. The incredible news? Jesus was despised and rejected first. He doesn’t shame you for feeling the sting—He promises to be with you in it, and He turns every insult into a crown.

We can also remember, it's to be expected. Because it's been foretold since the beginning of Christianity. We therefore need to remain rooted and steadfast in God's word and our faith.

Standing firm together looks like:

• Praying as a couple, ‘Lord, make us bold and gentle, even when it costs us’
• Teaching your kids, ‘If the world hates you, remember it hated Jesus first’—and living it out loud
• Holding each other when the insults come, reminding one another, ‘Great is our reward in heaven’
• Letting your marriage be the safest place to be unashamedly Christian

Take the time to read the Bible scriptures below and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your Bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.

John 15:18-21

 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.

2 Timothy 3:10-14

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

1 John 3:1

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 3:12-14

Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

Acts 5:41

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Matthew 10:16

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

1 Peter 4:12-16

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

2 Timothy 1:8-9

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

1 Thessalonians 3:2-4

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

Matthew 5:10-12

1 Peter 3:13-14

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

1 Corinthians 4:12-13

We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

Romans 8:36-37

As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Here's a short prayer if you're struggling to find the words:

Father, following You is costing us today. The mockery, the exclusion, the pressure—it hurts. Thank You that Jesus was persecuted first and that You never leave us in the fire alone. Give my spouse and me courage to stand firm without bitterness. Make our marriage and home a light that can’t be hidden, no matter the cost. Turn every insult into glory and every tear into joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Try one of these today:

• Pray one specific persecution verse (Matthew 5:11-12 or John 15:20) out loud together as a couple or family.
• When someone mocks or pressures you today, silently pray, ‘Lord, bless them and make me bold.’
• Tell your spouse one way you saw Jesus in them this week when the world tried to silence your faith.

I pray that these verses encourage you to remain steadfast. The persecution and brokenness have been around for thousands of years, but we know that no matter what, we have ultimate peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.

God bless!

Melissa