Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus did not mince His words when directed His disciples to rejoice and be exceedingly glad. It is sad that many modern Christians fail to follow His words and instead spend the majority of their time complaining and being exceedingly sad.
Over the years I have served in many churches where there were a few of our members who violated this principle of rejoicing and being exceedingly glad. They were always quick to share with any listening ear how heavy was the load they had to carry. It was evident that most folks liked to steer clear of them when possible.
There is an interesting aspect to this passage of Scripture in Matthew chapter 5. The admonition to rejoice and be exceedingly glad is not the result of receiving the things of this world. It is not based upon achieving health, wealth or prestige. Instead it is to be found when we are reviled, persecuted and abused verbally.
Those are times when it is most common to feel sorry for ourselves and whimper away in some corner. I want to assure you that whimpering and whining will never draw others to Christ. When we do that we are acting like the rest of the world. We are called to live differently. That means we are to rejoice and be exceedingly glad in the midst of the storms of life. Are you rejoicing today?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil