Friday, April 24 Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you . . . for my sake.​—Matt. 5:11.

[Áine]

Friday, April 24

Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you . . . for my sake.—Matt. 5:11.

 

What did Jesus mean? He went on to say: “Rejoice and be overjoyed, since your reward is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.” (Matt. 5:12) When the apostles were beaten and commanded to stop preaching, “they went out from before the Sanhedrin, rejoicing.” Of course, they did not relish the pain of being whipped. Yet, they rejoiced “because they had been counted worthy to be dishonored in behalf of [Jesus’] name.” (Acts 5:41) In our time, Jehovah’s people also endure with joy when they suffer in behalf of Jesus’ name or when they face difficult trials. (Jas. 1:2-4) Like the apostles, we do not take delight in any kind of suffering. But if we maintain our integrity to God during trials, Jehovah can help us to endure with fortitude. When we have the smile of approval of “the happy God,” we can be happy despite religious persecution or opposition at home.—1 Tim. 1:11. w18.09 21 ¶18-20

 

[bushbard]

Injustice is a terrible thing to have to experience but to experience it with no solution to eventually erasing it is far worse.

 

Sadly there are those of Jehovah's people today who are on the receiving end as well and we always consider them in prayer.

 

Thankfully though we are comforted by the scriptures that there is a remedy in place, just around the corner, and in the meantime

Jehovah sees our plight and will never let us bear more than we are able.

 

If we have to bear this burden to defend our relationship with Jehovah he will give us the strength to do so and as brothers and sisters we can support each other.

 

Some folk believe that all you have to do is believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

 

Let us not fall for the same reasoning that once bearing the name, Jehovah's Witness, that is all we need.

 

Whether to a heavenly calling or an earthly one let us always put up a fine fight, keep our eye on the prize, and endure to the end. 

 

 

[Chris7]

w01 5/1 p. 13-14
Keep a Positive Spirit

What helps a Christian to stay happy when undergoing persecution?Jesus encourages his followers to keep a positive spirit when they meet with various trials. He says: “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake.” (Matthew 5:11) What reason do we have for happiness under such circumstances? Our ability to withstand opposition is proof that Jehovah’s spirit is upon us. The apostle Peter told fellow Christians in his day: “If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy, because the spirit of glory, even the spirit of God, is resting upon you.” (1 Peter 4:13, 14) By means of his spirit, Jehovah will also help us to endure and, as a result, to maintain our joy.