“Father, help those today who are facing persecution for their faith in You and the Gospel. Help and encourage those who are in prison for being a Christian and sharing the Gospel, especially those being tortured.” Even before my coffee, this is the first request I pray every morning. Mainstream media covers almost nothing about the persecution of Christians. The majority of believers in America have no clue 200 million around the world are suffering because of their belief in Christ. I read it every day through websites focusing on the persecution of Christians. The number of those in prison reaches into the hundreds of thousands. In North Korea alone, reports estimate 70,000 are imprisoned—just for being a Christian. Each year 170,000 followers of Christ are martyred for their faith, that’s an average of 400 believers every day. More Christians were martyred in the 20th century than in all previous centuries of Christianity combined. Today as throughout history, governments tell imprisoned Christians they will release them and end their persecution by one act—if they renounce Christ as their Savior and deny Christian teaching. Today, like believers through the ages, they would rather endure prison, torture, and death.
What I call the ‘good-life gospel’, which some proclaim, only works in a country like the USA. How many living the ‘good-life’ and believe that serving Christ is only about blessings are ready when persecution reaches the level in America, as it is North Korea, Nigeria, Iran, or the other 128 countries, which persecute Christians? Of course, the crucial question becomes, “Am I ready?” When I received Christ, I learned this simple song. “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back; the world behind me the cross before me, no turning back, no turning back.” On occasions, I will still hum these words and wonder, “am I prepared if this is the beginning of the last days.”
In Jesus’ first parable, the Parable of the Sower, He taught His disciples not everyone will make it to the end. In a later sermon He said, But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved (Mat 24:13). In the parable, He gives three categories who do not endure. First, some will hear the Word, but not understand it, and the devil takes it away. Second, some receive it with joy, but have no root in themselves and when pressure and persecution come, they stumble. A third category received the word, grew, and even produced fruit. However, they let the desire for wealth, the pleasures of life, the cares of the world entangle them, and they became unfruitful.
One lesson stands out in this parable for the trouble times we may face. We must be rooted—rooted in Christ and rooted in His word. Roots bring life and nourishment to plants. Plants with deep roots can survive droughts. Strong winds don’t uproot trees with deep roots. The wind may damage the tops, but the roots remain to continue giving life. Only when we are rooted in Christ and His word, can survive difficult times. Take note though, roots don’t grow deep overnight. The time to beginning rooting ourselves in Christ is not when trouble begins.
The Book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers who were suffering great persecution and had endured for months and probably for years. They wondered if the hardship would ever end. The writer warns them against giving up and returning to Judaism. Receiving Christ and the forgiveness of their sins had been the greatest event in their life despite the public taunts and afflictions. They endured a hard struggle of sufferings even accepted with joy the confiscation of their possessions. Parents cast them out of the family for receiving Jesus, held funerals, and considered them dead. The letter encourages these Messianic Jews they have something better and worth the momentary suffers they may endure in this life.
The apostles thought they were prepared for the events surrounding Jesus’ approaching crucifixion. Jesus warned them the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Yet, Peter boldly proclaimed, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too (Matt 26:33, 35). Their confidence was short lived. They all ran away and Peter denied Jesus three times. Their confidence was rooted in their flesh and not firmly rooted and established in their faith in Christ.
For centuries, we in America have lived blessed lives. We’ve enjoyed the freedom of worshiping and serving our Lord Jesus without limits. However, the religious freedom American Christians have experienced is rapidly ending. Now, we are limited to where we can pray or read our Bible. Our government forces businesses to implement non-biblical standards. Society pressures us to refrain from speaking out against sin. It may offend someone. All this indicates the last days before Christ’s return may be upon us. Jesus promised, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you . . . because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great” (Mat 5:11, 12).
Sustaining Word for the Week: Pray for those who are suffering persecution and those imprisoned for being a Christian. Are you prepared? Root yourself deep in Jesus and His Word. This will sustain you through all trails.