“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:12).
TEXT — Matthew 5:10-12
Message
The world does not understand why the faith of Christ’s disciples is not shipwrecked in the ocean of persecutions. Instead, these believers rejoice. Three factors account for this joy. First, the Lord says they should rejoice under such circumstances. So they obey Him. Second, He has revealed to them the ineffable glory awaiting them in His Kingdom if they do not break down under enemy attacks. Third, God’s word says persecutions are “a light affliction” to be endured with gladness.
We cannot have more assurances of the blessedness than those given us in the Scriptures by the Lord who knows it all. There is no bit of doubt concerning the veracity of His submissions. Hear Him: “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”. As our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ is also our Guide through the journey to the pearly gates of heaven.
We are guaranteed His help in times of distress. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15).
These last days, characterised by perilous events that would bring up persecutions, should instruct faithful followers of the Lord to be watchful. We should spend more time in God’s presence, soaking ourselves in His word, praying, fellowshipping with the brethren, cleansing our communities with ceaseless evangelism strategies in readiness for the rapture and keeping ourselves undefiled by the world.
Thought for the day
Rejoicing in the Lord minimises the effect of persecutions.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
4 comments
I need a prayer request Sir,Anew encounter with Christ and His divine visitation
Daily Dose of God’s word keep us going stroger in everyday’s challenge posed by the enemy. We are lifted above the shadows and we are more than conqueror through the word. We thank the Lord for these secrets
Encouraging Song:
I travelled down a lonely road and no one seemed to care.
The burden on my weary back has vowed me despair.
I cried ‘My Lord ‘ to Jesus
How does are threatening me
And this is the word to me He gently say
‘My feet were also weary upon the cruel cross, the cross became so heavy,I fell beneath the load,be faithful weary pilgrim, the morning I can see. Just take your cross and follow close to Me ‘
I need a prayer request Sir,Anew encounter with Christ and His divine visitation
Daily Dose of God’s word keep us going stroger in everyday’s challenge posed by the enemy. We are lifted above the shadows and we are more than conqueror through the word. We thank the Lord for these secrets
Encouraging Song:
I travelled down a lonely road and no one seemed to care.
The burden on my weary back has vowed me despair.
I cried ‘My Lord ‘ to Jesus
How does are threatening me
And this is the word to me He gently say
‘My feet were also weary upon the cruel cross, the cross became so heavy,I fell beneath the load,be faithful weary pilgrim, the morning I can see. Just take your cross and follow close to Me ‘
Correction: Line 2
The burden on my weary back has bowed me to despair