And persecution?? “Peter began to say to him, ‘See, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with PERSECUTIONS (emphasis added), and in the age to come eternal life’” Mark 10:28–30 (ESV). We do not want “persecution” after our list of blessings; we have forgotten that Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for my sake” and “Rejoice when you are persecuted” (Matthew 5:11-12). And, “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” (1 Peter 4:16 ESV). We reject that as crazy; it makes no sense to us. So, when a little difficulty comes, we complain and whine. Never forget that of all the good blessings you can name that come with following Christ, we must add “persecutions”.
Lord Jesus, please forgive us from declaring our inconvenience, and someone disagreeing with us as persecution. You went to the cross for us. Your disciples died for the gospel of another King and Kingdom. Even now, millions of Your servants around the world still are being severely persecuted. We have not yet resisted to the point of shedding our blood (Hebrews 12:4). Have mercy on our complaining souls! Amen!
