Hated by happy

The Salvation Army's Daily Devotional "Words of Life" currently deals with the Book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was the cup bearer to the King of Persia, a highly trusted position in the palace. One day his brother Hanani from Judah brought a report about the condition of Jerusalem - the walls broken down, the gates burned with fire. This distressing scene greatly disturbed Nehemiah.

He obtained permission from the King to return to Jerusalem to repair the walls. The king helped him. He also had many supporters. At the same time he had enemies who sought to destroy him and the work he was doing. He was severely persecuted.

I read the story - the opponents tried every possible way to get him to give up the good work, but with God on his side, he prevailed.

Now the eighth beatitude which says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matt. 5: 10-12

Turn to 2 Timothy 3: 12 we read "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

The 40-day devotional by Love Singapore begins with this statement, "Happy are the hated - for the right reason. Well said.

The early church suffered much persecution. They endured terrible cruelties- they were thrown to the lions, burned at the stake all because of the stand they took for Christ.Today Christians still suffer in some countries.

Persecuted for righteousness sake! Righteousness means more than ethical conduct or morality. Our righteous living includes concern and compassion for others for their physical and spiritual welfare. Our  witness my cause resentment, we may be misunderstood.

It may be our stand on certain issues or principles. Our values should be values of the kingdom of God - truth and righteousness that some of our friends may not agree.

I love the song, "Keep on believing" one verse says,

"If all were easy, if all were bright,
Where would the cross be and where the fight?
But in the hardness God gives to you
Chances of proving that you are true."

Nehemiah persevered and built the wall. Mission accomplished.
Our Lord suffered persecution, He pressed on even to the cross and death. But He rose again, highly exalted and now sits at the right hand of God. Mission accomplished.