Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

I don't really know persecution. Living in a country where most of my life I've been allowed to speak my opinions, worship freely, and walk in freedom, I have no idea what it is like to be persecuted for righteousness.

An article in Global Christian Relief tells the story of Lawan Andimi. Before his death in January of 2020, Andimi led thousands to faith in Jesus Christ. An extremist group attacked his village. Andimi is one of the estimated 50,000 to 150,000 Nigerian Christians that have been murdered by extremists since 2009. Today the people of Nigeria are said to be at the epicenter of Christian martyrdom.

The organization known as Open Doors tells numerous stories out of Afghanistan about Christians murdered by family members, when their Bibles were discovered, when their faith was made known. Many of these stories tell of wives and mothers left to raise their children alone, after their husbands were killed for their faith in Jesus. These families must quietly trust in Jesus to help them survive in a world where faith in Jesus results in persecution and death.

Open Doors encourages Christians to stand with the estimated 388 million Christians facing high levels of discrimination worldwide. That's 1 in seven believers.

Global Christian Relief tells us that Christianity threatens the leaderships' ideology. Therefore owning a Bible and professing to be a Christian can result in brutal labor camps and punishment.

This website also states that in Somalia, Christian gatherings must be completely secretive as Islam is the only recognized religion. Practicing anything else can lead to mob violence, and or execution.

Other countries like Libya and Yemen also have strict rules against practicing of Christianity.

Jesus was speaking to His followers. He knew that the worldly kingdoms would stand against the laws of His kingdom. He was warning us that happiness and fulfillment wouldn't come from following in the ways of the world.

Only when we seek to align with His ways, when we choose to walk out in righteousness, will we receive the blessings of heaven.

Jesus takes it a step further by telling His disciples that they will be insulted, and persecuted for standing up for Him. But He offers blessing in the midst of punishment. He promises Makarios.

In Greek, Makarios describes a deep, enduring spiritual joy and a position of diving favor that is present regardless of current circumstances. It is enduring.

May I encourage you that in whatever you are facing today, if it is due to your choice to remain in Jesus, you are blessed. Even if it doesn't "feel" like it, even if the circumstances don't change.

Because His Words in Matthew 5: 10 are Truth. And upon Truth, we can stand. On Truth, we can endure. On Truth we have hope.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteouseness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

Dear Jesus, we trust you to cover our Christian brothers and sisters in the world who are being persecute for their faith. We ask that you remind them that You are their hope. Keep them steadfast and secure in You. Grant them strength, courage and a spirit of endurance as they stand on righteouseness. We pray that you will help us to take the bold stands of righteousness today. Wherever we are in life, may You grant us the strength, and resolution to remain strong in righteousness. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.