Persecution

This week, the Lord revealed different instances of persecution to me. He showed me how false accusations can lead someone to become a persecutor, and He brought to mind what it feels like to be persecuted by others. He also highlighted how I can bring persecution upon myself and how the enemy can persecute us.

I thought about a scene from a movie where a woman was persecuted for something she said about Jesus in a classroom. The entire school board opposed her, and she was taken to court. In the end, she was yelled at and made to cry, but she continued to speak the name of Jesus and stood firm in her beliefs. The jury ultimately found her not guilty.

This reminded me of Stephen in the Bible, who stood firm in his faith. He preached to those who persecuted him and, in the end, was stoned for his beliefs. Yet, Stephen remained faithful to Jesus, asking the Lord not to hold the sin of his persecutors against them. Stephen demonstrated love and compassion for his enemies despite facing death.

In Matthew 5:44-46, Jesus says:

44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?...

This example of Stephen also reminded me of Jesus during His persecution. Even as He was bleeding and hanging on the cross, He thought of others, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

The enemy loves to persecute us, and I felt that this week. He kept coming against me with lies, but God prevailed against him. Through revelation, God showed me that He delivers us in every instance of persecution from the enemy. Sometimes, this deliverance comes through death and being with Him, but He always delivers. Jesus rose again. Stephen now lives with the Father, and he was rewarded, along with all the disciples who were also persecuted.

Noah was persecuted but continued to obey God despite opposition. Paul was persecuted and imprisoned multiple times, yet he continued to preach the gospel because he loved the Lord and the people. He didn’t let fear or the need to please others control him. He didn’t preach a false gospel but boldly spoke the truth about who God is and what He says. Stephen did the same before he was stoned—he spoke the truth to the Sanhedrin.

We sometimes persecute ourselves, putting ourselves down and agreeing with the lies the enemy tells us. These lies can include doubts about God’s love for us, our worthiness, or even holding onto guilt for past mistakes, which can lead to unforgiveness.

Forgiveness is crucial. God's love for you is immeasurable, and He wants you to release all guilt, shame, and punishment you may have placed upon yourself. You have the power to forgive yourself. This means unlocking the chains you've bound yourself with and letting go of the burden of unforgiveness.

Forgiveness is not just for ourselves but for others too. If someone has hurt you, holding onto unforgiveness does not hurt them—it only hurts you. So, I pray that if you have any unforgiveness in your heart, especially towards your enemies, you will let it go. I pray that the Lord fills your heart with love for yourself and others. 

Remember that whatever you may be going through God will deliver you, you need only to lean on Him through the trial.

With His Love,

Heather