Scripture to Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:5
We do not like to think about persecution as something we would like to go through, but amid God’s plan, He uses persecution to count us worthy of His kingdom. As we unpack 2 Thessalonians 1:5, we read that the persecution the believers in Thessalonica were suffering was “positive proof of the righteous judgment of God [a sign of His fair verdict]” Amplified Version. What God wants us to understand is that He has the last word. Though we may suffer in this life, our current suffering is nothing compared to the judgment our persecutors will receive from God one day. God makes it clear that His judgment is coming to those who persecute Christians. God shares this truth with us again in Philippians 1:27-29, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” We’ve been called to live so that we honor Christ and His Gospel no matter what we are facing; and that we not be intimidated by our opponents, for God will bring His destruction upon their lives.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about how to handle persecution and also what His plan is for our persecutors?
2. How will you choose to live in a manner worthy of Christ and His Gospel, no matter what you face in this life?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!