This morning’s devotional reading was from Hebrews 13.
Verse 13:3 – remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
That verse really got my attention. I have heard it said that we are living in an era now when there are more Christian Martyrs than ever. That seems hard for me to believe. I live in the United States, and I am fairly insulated from all the suffering I read about in magazines and online. But we do subscribe to Gospel for Asia, and from time to time we read horrific accounts from a pastor about the suffering of brothers and sisters abroad. So yes, I do believe its true that we are still living in a time of Christian persecution.
As I’m meditating and journaling, I’m also looking around the internet and thinking now about this issue of Christian suffering. I am struck by how little I actually think about my brother and sisters in Christ who are suffering around the globe. I do not think that I am dissimilar to other Christians in the USA. How much are we really thinking, praying, and acting on their behalf?
It is so easy to become immersed and so occupied with our lives that we forget the suffering of others. I don’t’ think the Lord expects us to be depressed or to possess a defeatist attitude about this, but I do believe God has placed this verse in the Bible because while he has taught and reminded us that our works are never enough to merit salvation, he nevertheless wants us to work in the manner Jesus would have if he were still on the earth. So … today I want to resolve to “remember more” and not just to remember, but to actually show that I remember by doing for those who are strangers to me what I would want them to do for me if I or a beloved family member were in the same situation.
Father forgive us for our lack of prayer and help to the persecuted church.
Photo by Anguskirk on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
FP: 11.10.2008