A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"No Surprise!"

I am a tea drinker. Though I enjoy may kinds of tea and have some favorite kinds, the brand I most often drink is Salada. Salada puts a short one line saying on each one of the tea bag tabs. Some are just silly sayings. Others are more profound and cause me to consider what they say. One such tab line read; "A prepared person is never taken by surprise." When I read this one my first thought was that I must not be a well prepared person for I am often surprised by things! My second thought was that many Christians are ill prepared because suffering takes them by surprise.

Peter addresses this crucial concern in his first epistle; "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you." (1 Peter 4:12) It was vitally important to prepare the believers for the persecution they were facing. If they were caught by surprise they might not stand firm in the faith. So Peter drew upon the very teaching of Jesus ["Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:10-12); In this world you will have trouble, (John 16:33); 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 the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. (John 15:18-20)] to teach his fellow Christians that to be persecuted for Jesus' sake is a blessing, not a curse. Their suffering would be shameful if it were punishment for crimes or results of evil activity. But they were not to be "ashamed", but "overjoyed" when they were persecuted because of Jesus.

Persecution comes in many forms and levels of intensity. But, for Christians, it comes. Some of our fellow believers have suffered rejection, loss of jobs, loss of homes, loss of possessions, name calling, abusive treatment, false accusations, imprisonment, and death for Christ. We Christians in the Untied States have enjoyed many years of acceptance and any persecution was isolated and usually rather mild. But persecution is becoming more widespread, obvious and severe today for the western Christian. Don't be surprised and downcast beloved. The real surprise is that we haven't suffered greatly up to this point. That is a blessing we should not take lightly.

How do we combat persecution? How are we to response to suffering? Do we Fight back? Campaign for new laws? Take our persecutors to court and sue them? The instruction of Scripture is clear; Take heart, rejoice in the Lord, commit ourselves to our Faithful Creator and continue to do good! (John 16:33; Matthew 5:11 1 Peter 4:19) Jesus gave us The Example "that we should follow in His steps. 'He committed no sin and no deceit was found in His mouth.' When they hurled insults at Him He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."

Beloved don't be surprised - be prepared!

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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