”Blessed
are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil
against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in
heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12 NIV)
On one occasion when The Salvation Army founder William
Booth was preaching on the streets of London
a man spat at him and hit him square in the face. One of Booth’s co-workers
wanted to dry the spittle from his beard, but Booth said: ’Don’t touch it! It’s a medal.’
We sometimes
think that it was easier in the old days to be a Christian, but to be a
Christian has always resulted in an inherent conflict with this world. The true
follower must count on persecution.
Even though Booth
didn’t seek persecution for its own sake, he meant that persecution had certain
positive effects. When people threw rotten tomatoes and eggs, and yes, even
urine at the Salvationists, Booth maintained that at least it brought with it
the assurance that no one would join The Salvation Army for
personal gain. Only those who had their hearts renewed by Jesus would expose
themselves to something so demeaning.
Prayer
Jesus thank You for not abandoning us when
people persecute or belittle us. Help us to, in Your strength, withstand the
persecution that You faced and that each true disciple must stand firm against.
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