August 20 – The Persecuted (Psalm 9)

“O Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare your praises in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and there rejoice in your salvation.” (Psalm 9:13-14)

IN WORD:
The book of Hebrews tells of Old Testament heroes who were persecuted — stoned, sawn in two, put to death by the sword, destitute, and mistreated. They suffered such things because they were looking ahead to a resurrection, a new Kingdom, a city built by God. They knew where their true lives were invested, and they refused to hang on to the pleasures of this world. Why? Because the pleasures of this world are superficial and short-lived. The Kingdom is deep and eternal.
You can always tell the difference between a believer who has planted his feet in this world and one who has planted them in the Kingdom. Though all Christians live in both worlds at once, we choose daily which one we will invest in. Those who invest in the things of this world are shaken when this world is shaken. Those who invest in Kingdom endeavors can persevere through anything. They lose nothing when the stock markets fall, when wars threaten lives, when terrorists rampage, or when treasures prove transient. Their lives are not based on shifting sands but on eternal streets. They know where they’re headed.

IN DEED:
Persecution, perhaps more than any other event, reveals how eternally focused a believer is. We never seek it, of course, but when it comes our faith is purified. We find out where we stand and what our hearts treasure. We discover whether we have been living an eternal vision or tolerating a temporary lie.
Do you know where you would fix your gaze if you were persecuted? Would suffering shatter your dreams or cause you to embrace them more deeply? Your answer will indicate where you’ve staked your life. Answer with an eye on forever.

“Prosperity has often been fatal to Christians, but persecution, never.” -Amish Bishop-