FROM PITY TO PRAISE! – Matthew 5:11 Devotional by Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

https://DailyEvotional.com/ -- Matthew 5:11

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”

When I hear of believers who are experiencing persecution, I am reminded that we all are destined to encounter times of trial of one sort or the other. It is in times of trials and testing that we need to show the power of God to rejoice!

Why on earth would someone who is experiencing lies, persecution, and insults rejoice? To show forth the power of Christ to shine brilliantly is a sin darkened world! One reason we encounter harsh treatment is to demonstrate our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

It is essential to examine our persecution to determine if the cause is the result of faith in Jesus Christ or because of some sort of misconduct on our part. We cannot claim to be persecuted for Christ’s sake if we are guilty of doing something wrong.

Here is the bottom line—if we encounter ordeals in our life that are not the result of our sinful actions, we are blessed. We are told to count it joy and even to rejoice in our trials. We don’t need pity, we need to praise!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil