Where can I find hope when I am persecuted? - Persecution - TouchPoints

Acts 5:41The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.

Philippians 1:29You have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

2 Timothy 3:12Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

1 Peter 4:13These trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

If you are being persecuted for your faith, be encouraged by the fact that many other faithful believers are also standing strong in the face of persecution. Lack of any pushback from the world or from evil forces ought to make you wonder if you are in fact living for God. The Bible encourages you to see persecution for Jesus’ sake as an honor. It is evidence of the depth of your commitment to Jesus and therefore a privilege to suffer for the God you love so much. It also helps you identify with the depth of suffering Jesus went through for you.

Matthew 5:11“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.”

Jesus promises special blessings to those who are persecuted, though not necessarily in this life.

Psalm 110:1The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

Revelation 12:10-11Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.”

God will defeat his enemies. Jesus will eventually be triumphant as King of kings and Lord of lords. You may be persecuted now, but your side will be victorious in the end, and your persecution will not be in vain.