A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW     

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED  

Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

In this Beatitude, there is a shift. While all of His disciples will be at times poor in spirit, mourning, lowly, and hunger for God’s victory and where by the power of a disciples’ union by God’s grace with Jesus they will have begun to be merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers, Jesus now speaks about persecution. Some of His disciples will be persecuted, but not all.  

While persecution is not something one would pray to happen in their life, Jesus promises He will bless believers if it does happen to them. First of all, it is important for all Christians to remember they already are part of the reign of heaven. They have a mediator between them and Yahweh in the person and work of Jesus who “sits at God’s right hand and intercedes for them.”   

Often the persecution that comes upon a believer is slander. This is because Satan is a slanderer. His native tongue is speaking lies of all kinds. His lies about believers are hurtful and reputation destroying. Think about how many of the Old Testament prophets were mocked, ridiculed, derided, and scoffed at. They were on occasions even “run out of town.”   

Elijah faithfully delivered God’s message of judgment upon Israel against their idolatry. He announced their behavior would cause God to send a severe drought. He trusted God for protection and his personal sustenance. God told him to go to the Brook Cherith where a brook would provide him with water and ravens would bring him his food.   

Luther wrote the following familiar words in his well-known hymn, “A Mighty Fortress,” “Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us, We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpow’r us . . .He (Satan) can harm us none, He’s judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him.” (LSB 656, verse 3)  

Prayer: Lord, grant me faith that will not shrink though pressed by many a foe. Enable me, guided by Your Spirit, to faithfully speak and act no matter what the consequences might be. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Oh, for a faith that will not shrink Tho’ pressed by many a foe;  
That will not tremble on the brink of poverty and woe; 

That will not murmur nor complain Beneath the chast’ning rod,  
But in the hour grief or pain Can lean upon its God; 

A faith that shines more bright and clear   
When tempests rage without;  
That, when in danger, knows no fear, In darkness feels no doubt; 

That bears unmoved the world’s dread frown   
Nor heeds its scornful smile;  
That, sin’s wild ocean cannot drown Nor Satan’s arts beguile; 

A faith that keeps the narrow way Till life’s last spark is fled  
And with a pure and heavenly ray Lights up the dying bed. 

Lord, give us such a faith as this; And then, whate’er may come,  
We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss Of an eternal home.  (TLH 396)