Hungry for Help
God is Watching!

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

There are many reasons people might pick on us during our lifetime. The color of our skin, the economic status of our family or the physical looks we were born with! This last beatitude is not saying that we will be rewarded with the Kingdom because we have been persecuted. Yes, God cares about us and sees how others treat us, but the beatitude is not speaking about those issues!

The key word is “righteousness.” When we are persecuted because of our walk with God, our reward is guaranteed. This beatitude is reminding us that God is not only watching but keeping score. He sees the hits we take from the world because of our standards of righteous living. This world is not ours, but the next world is! God has a Kingdom, a world prepared for those who refuse to compromise their beliefs, even in the face of persecution. Yes, God is watching and is never far from the details of every situation. I love the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 4:5: “…the Lord is near.” I have reminded myself of this fact many times, especially through the night when the enemy attacks my faith.

We will be talking about the many faces persecution can take on in our lives. But today, let’s simply relax in the confidence of a faithful God who never sleeps or slumbers and never misses the smallest attack we sustain! We will be rewarded tenfold for our faithfulness during these times in our lives. As the scripture says: “Weary not in well doing” (2 Thessalonians 3:13). Our encouragement is real. Our rewards are guaranteed.

Father, if I face some persecution today because of my lifestyle in you, I receive it with anticipation of your rewards. In Jesus’ name, amen.