Good Morning Friends,
“Remember those earlier days after you had
received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face
of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at
other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You
sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your
property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting
possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.”
(Hebrews 10:32-35)
Our relationship with God is worth suffering
for. Most of us have not done much suffering for it, but there are many through
history and many in other parts of the world today who have. Suffering, insult,
persecution, prison, confiscation of property – all of these are costs others
have paid for their faith. And it was worth it.
Those to whom the book of Hebrews was written
were commended for the way they had endured suffering. They were also commended
for standing with other believers who were being insulted and persecuted. They
cast their lot with those who suffered for their faith, to encourage and
support them in the midst of their difficulties.
And for all they endured, the scripture
promises, “it will be richly rewarded.” God will not forget what they endured
and will not forget their willingness to stand with others who were suffering. It
will be worth whatever they had to face.
I wonder if you and I would be willing to
suffer for our faith? We aren’t being called to suffer right now, but it could
come in the future. Will our faith endure through whatever we have to face? It
should, because what we have to gain is worth it!
And the other question that comes to mind
from this passage is, how are we standing with those who are being persecuted
today for their faith? Are we standing with them in prayer? Are we standing
with them in other ways, practical ways that can provide help to them? They deserve
it. They need it.
His, by Grace,
Steve
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