Matthew Botelho & MaryEllen Montville

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all evil against you falsely for My sake.” –Matthew 5:11-12.

Jesus assured us that in this life, we will have trouble. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” –John 16:33

 How we respond to that persecution is up to us.

We can let it hit us so hard that we fall and stay down, or we can persevere in the face of persecution and press forward, as King David and so many other brave soldiers in the faith have. Read Hebrews 11 for a full account of their faithfulness.

Jesus warned that there would come a time when His people would face intense persecution for their faith in Him. “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you”. –John 15:20

Even as this is being written, God placed those facing such persecution right now on our hearts. Brothers and sisters in countries like Egypt, Iraq, Somalia, China, and N. Korea. Countries where people are thrown into jail, beaten, or even killed for demonstrating their faith. As Americans, we have no real idea how truly blessed we are to have the freedom to express our faith and to worship Jesus openly. 

Ecclesiastes reminds us, “That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun” –Ecclesiastes 1:9

Life has always and always will bring with it issues beyond your control.

Whether it be war, famine, or the enemy stirring up chaos, hatred, or confusion, as we see happening today. The Good News is, God is with us through it all. David reminds us of this Truth in his Psalm, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth” –Psalm 34:15-16. And talk about persecution: David wrote this Psalm as King Saul pursued him, a brother and man of God he loved and had served faithfully, who turned on him suddenly, wanting David dead. So David went into hiding in Gath, enemy territory.

If we read 1 Samuel 21:10-15, we’ll see why.

David hid because he feared for his life, and it showed. He was worried and fearful to the point that he literally started to act as if he were a madman to fake out those around him who sought to kill him, and he succeeded. The Bible says those who knew David said this of him: “And the servants of Achish said to him, ‘Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands?” Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.” –1 Samuel 21:11-12

Yet David was indeed fearful and saddened because he had served King Saul faithfully, with love and loyalty, and now, that same man he once served was hunting him down to kill him, and all because God’s hand of favor was upon David. See, God had told the Prophet Samuel to go and anoint David as Israel’s new King, replacing Saul. “The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” –1 Samuel 16:1

The apostle Peter reminds us: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which to try you, as though some strange things happened.” –1 Peter 4:12

Don’t be surprised when people recognize the call on your life, then try to kill your character by speaking against you. Sadly, a good portion of the time, it will come at the hands of someone close to you, someone you love, serve, or work with. “It is not an enemy who taunts me— I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me— I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.” –Psalm 55:12-14.

Don’t let jealousy or envy stop you from pressing forward.

Regardless of his circumstances, and yours, brothers and sisters in Christ, God’s anointing remained on David. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable”—Romans 11:29

God called David for a purpose.

God did not leave him to face any trial or persecution alone; the same is true for you, friend.

If you belong to Jesus, God will never leave you nor forsake you, “even if” you face persecution for His name’s sake. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” –John 15:16

God will, however, allow you to experience things that feel uncomfortable to build our trust in Him and strengthen our faith, just as gold placed in fire melts, and its impurities float to the top. Be reminded, though, that your inheritance in the Kingdom of God outweighs any trouble or persecution you may face in this life.

The apostle Peter writes, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” –1 Peter 1:6-7

As Jesus said, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” –Matthew 6:1

Worry will never grow your faith, friends.

Worry is the total opposite of faith. Worry is the impure dross that gets burned off us by Holy Spirit in the fire of affliction and persecution—in all our “fiery” trials, so that our faith in Jesus can remain and be made pure.

God wants you to grow in your faith, not carry the worries of the world. Jesus reminds us that when we seek Him, we are seeking the fullness of the Kingdom of heaven. And that He, being the Mediator between man and God, has already filled us with everything we need to overcome whatever will come. “For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” –2 Peter 1:3

When persecution comes, in any of its forms, I pray this single Truth rise in you and sustain you: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” –John 16:33.

Hey friends, Brother Matt speaking: I have dealt with fear and worry, as everyone has. But let me remind you, as I remind myself, to declare this Truth over worry: “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” –Psalm 118:6

I pray this teaching stirred something in you, as it did me.

Take heart, child of God. Jesus has overcome this world, and because He did, so will you!

Friends, if you do not know Jesus, call on Him right now, and repent of your sins today. Be washed by His redeeming blood that takes away your every sin. He is so faithful to forgive. “For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” –2 Corinthians 6:2

Amen