Can We Claim 2 Chronicles 7:14 for God’s Healing of Nations from Covid-19?

2 Chronicles 7:14 has become a great hallmark for revival. During the present Covid-19 crisis, many well-intentioned preachers are claiming 2 Chronicles 7:14 and calling the church to repentance. “If we humble ourselves, confess our sins and seek the Lord, then God would heal our land from coronavirus,” they proclaim.

Now it is always good to call the church to heart-searching repentance. It is necessary to pray to God to have mercy on us and deliver us from Covid-19. But can we claim the promise given in 2 Chronicles 7:14?

It is rightly said, “A text taken out of its context (the original situation into which it was spoken) is a pretext (a false reason that hides the true intent).” Let us see the context of 2 Chronicles 7:14 to refrain from faulty interpretation and application. This article is long but worth your time and attention.

WHAT IS THE CONTEXT?

After taking seven years to build the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, Solomon offered the dedicatory prayer (2 Chro. 6:12-42). As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, the glory of the Lord filled the Temple (7:1-3). Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and assured him that He had heard his prayers (7:12). He said to him,

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (7:13-14)

According to this Scripture, we must ask two questions.

WHERE TO PRAY?

Question One: According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, in which place did the Lord say He would answer the prayers? In which place did the Lord expect His people to pray and seek His face? To answer, we must go back to Solomon’s dedicatory prayer. Due to space constraints, I will only quote the words that require our attention.

2 Chro. 6:22-23, “If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath and comes and swears his oath before your altar IN THIS HOUSE, then hear from heaven…” 

2 Chro. 6:24-25, “If your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn again and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you IN THIS HOUSE, then hear from heaven…” 

2 Chro. 6:26-27, “When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray TOWARD THIS PLACE and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them, then hear in heaven…” 

2 Chro. 6:28-30, “If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemies besiege them in the land at their gates, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is, whatever prayer, whatever plea is made by any man or by all your people Israel, each knowing his own affliction and his own sorrow and stretching out his hands TOWARD THIS HOUSE, then hear from heaven…” 

2 Chro. 6:32-33, “Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for the sake of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when he comes and prays TOWARD THIS HOUSE, hear from heaven…”= 

2 Chro. 6:34-35, “If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to you TOWARD THIS CITY THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN AND THE HOUSE THAT I HAVE BUILT FOR YOUR NAME, then hear from heaven…” 

2 Chro. 6:36-39, “If they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to a land far or near…if they repent with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity to which they were carried captive, and pray TOWARD THEIR LAND…then hear from heaven…”

Do you observe the phrases "in this house" "toward this place" "toward this house" and “then hear from heaven”? What is the place in which Solomon pled with God to answer? It is solely in the Temple at Jerusalem. Every petition that Solomon made was connected to the prayers offered at the Temple he built.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, when the Lord said if they humble themselves and pray, it is in the Temple or toward the Temple of Jerusalem. Solomon acknowledged that this place was chosen by God Himself, “the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name” (6:38).

Immediately after 7:14, the Lord said in verse 15, “Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made IN THIS PLACE. For now I HAVE CHOSEN AND CONSECRATED THIS HOUSE that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart WILL BE THERE for all time.” The humbling of the people of Israel and their praying and seeking the Lord was at the Temple that Solomon built.

Bear in mind that there was only One Temple in Jerusalem where people offered prayers and sacrifices. That was God’s chosen place in the Old Covenant. If we apply 2 Chronicles 7:14, then we must offer prayers in the Temple of Jerusalem, for that’s what the text meant. Unfortunately, there is currently no Temple in Jerusalem but the Islamic shrine “The Dome of the Rock” located on the Temple Mount.

Caution is required here that church buildings are not the Jerusalem Temple. Many falsely attribute church buildings to God's physical Temple by misinterpreting Old Testament Scriptures. To be sure, according to 1 Corinthians 3:16, it is not the church buildings but the church (God’s people) which is God’s Temple.

But 2 Chronicles 6-7 exclusively mentions the physical Temple in Jerusalem where God answered the prayers offered by the Israelites. It has no relevance to God’s New Covenant people. The discontinuity from the old pattern of prayers and worship was answered by the Lord Jesus Himself, which He spoke to the Samaritan woman:

Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain (where Samaritans worshipped) nor in Jerusalem (where Jews worshipped on the Temple Mount) will you worship the Father.....But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:21, 23-24)

 WHICH LAND GOD PROMISED TO HEAL?

Question Two: What is the land that the Lord said He would heal? 

2 Chronicles 7:13-14, “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 

Observe the phrase “heal their land.” Whose land? The land given to the nation of Israel. The Lord promised to Abraham centuries ago, “To your offspring I will give this land” (Gen. 12:7; 15:18; 17:8). This land is the land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey. 

Centuries later, when the Israelites were held in the bondage of Egypt, the Lord appeared to Moses and said, “I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites…” (Exo. 3:8). 

After their deliverance from the bondage of Egypt, when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, the Lord spoke to them about blessings for obedience to the Law and curses for disobedience to the Law (Deut. 28-30).

The blessings include rich harvest and abundant rain, and victory over enemies in the land in which they would live (28:1-14). The curses include famine, pestilence, defeat by their enemies, eventually losing their land and going into captivity (28:15-28). But if people repent of their sins and turn to the Lord, God said He will bring them into the "promised land" and prosper them again (30:1-10).

So the prayer that Solomon offered in his dedication of the Temple in 2 Chronicles 6 was in accordance with God’s promise of blessings and curses and restoration written in Deuteronomy 28-30. And the assurance that God gave to Solomon in healing their land as a result of His people’s repentance was based on His promise of restoration in Deuteronomy 30. This healing of the land in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is concerning the curse the Lord would bring on the land, "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people" (7:13).

When the Lord brought out the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt, He made them a distinct and theocratic nation, gave them the Law (613 laws) by which they must abide, and brought them into the land of Canaan where their prosperity and adversity was dependent on their obedience and disobedience.

In contrast, the church is not a theocratic nation. We are God’s people living in secular countries. The church is not under the Mosaic Law. The covenant that the Lord made to Israel, the several blessings for obedience to the Law and curses for disobedience to the Law, does not apply to the church because we are under the New Covenant, under the Law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:20-21).

Do you know that even the present Israel cannot claim 2 Chronicles 7:14 because their blessings and curses are now based on their faith and rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ? They are no more called to live under the Mosaic Law with its blessings and curses. They are called to repent and believe in the Gospel of Christ and live under the New Covenant.

2 CHRONICLES 7:14

Therefore, in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14,

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence AMONG MY PEOPLE,” speaks about the disasters God sends among His covenant people because of consistently breaking His Law. Only God’s people (i.e. the Jews) are in view here. This text doesn’t speak about God sending these disasters on Gentile nations.

“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves” speaks about the nation of Israel (who are called by God’s Name) humbling themselves before the Lord. This text doesn’t speak about individuals or a small group of people praying to the Lord, but the nation of Israel. This text doesn’t even speak about repenting on behalf of the nation but the nation itself repenting before the Lord.

“and pray and seek my face” speaks about the Israelites offering their prayers in or toward the Temple of Jerusalem.

“and turn from their wicked ways” speaks about the Israelites turning away from their disobedience to the Mosaic Law.

“then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” speaks about the restoration of or to the "promised land", the land flowing with milk and honey. The land here is the land promised to Israel and not any other lands.

When you consider all these issues within the immediate and broader context of 2 Chronicles 7:14, do you suppose you can claim it for our present Covid-19 crisis? Did the disaster come only on God's people? Are we as a whole nation repenting before the Lord? Is our land the "promised land" given to the Israelites in fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant? Are we praying and seeking the Lord in the Temple of Jerusalem?

CONCLUSION

Well, does all this mean that we learn nothing from 2 Chronicles 7:14? Not at all! We cannot claim its promise literally, but we can learn some good principles from it. We learn about God’s goodness, holiness, faithfulness, and grace manifested toward His people. We grasp how humble repentance is pleasing to the Lord. We observe how broken and contrite spirit moves the heart of God to forgive and accomplish His purposes in His community. The Book of James exhorts:

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (4:8-10)

But can we claim 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a promise to apply to our current crisis, that is, if the Church repents, God will heal the nations? No, we cannot. The call to repentance with a promise of healing of the land was given to God’s Old Covenant people, the Israelites, who lived under a different dispensation. We, the church, are under the New Covenant, and are neither a political nation nor do we own a particular land as a nation.

In the Old Covenant, the Israelites had a physical Temple where God's presence dwelt, sacrifices of animals were offered on the altar, and Levitical priests were the mediators between God and people. They were also given the Law with blessings and curses in the "promised land" they lived. If they obeyed the Law, they prospered in the land. If they disobeyed the Law, the people and the land were cursed. And if they repented of their sins against God, the Lord healed their land.

Considering the New Covenant, Christ Jesus has become our sufficient and ultimate sacrifice for our sins (Heb. 10). Through Him, we have direct access to God (Heb. 4:14-16). Through Him, both Jews and Gentiles have become one people of God (Eph. 2:13-16). Through Him, we have become the Temple of God (Eph. 2:21-22). Through Him, we have become royal priests of God (1 Pet. 2:9). Through Him, we are no longer under the curse of the Law of Moses (Gal. 3:10-14). Through Him, if we confess our sins, we are cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7,9) What's more, through Him, we inherit God's eternal Kingdom (Eph. 1:13-14). Hallelujah!

Remember that we cannot randomly claim the Old Testament promises, particularly when they were given to God’s Old Covenant community, i.e. Israel, under a different dispensation. The blessings and promises given to the church in Christ Jesus are incomparably greater (Read Ephesians chapter 1).

Finally, although it is inappropriate to claim the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14, can we pray in general for God’s mercy and plead with Him to heal the nations from Covid-19? Sure! Much prayers must rise at the moment to the Throne of Grace for God’s deliverance from Coronavirus. We must also pray that the Lord would use the Covid-19 crisis to awaken unbelievers to remind them of their mortality and insecurity in the world, and show them the greater need of salvation found only in Christ.

We must likewise pray for the local churches that the Lord would use the current plight to bring spiritual awakening and deliver them from lukewarmness. We must pray that the Church would remain faithful in the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ, because real healing of the nation can only come through individuals turning from their sin to Christ. Without the preaching of the Gospel and without people experiencing the forgiveness of sin found in and through Christ, true healing cannot come to the nations.

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What Does Coronavirus Reveal About the Condition of Our Heart?

The outbreak of the pandemic Covid-19 has sent tremors all across the world. Yes, knowing its contagious and catastrophic nature, we must be concerned about its impact. However, this crisis need not cause God's redeemed people overcome by panic and despair. We may face fear but we must not be conquered by it.

Today morning, in my personal devotions, I came across the words of Christ Jesus, which birthed the following words.

At the end of His Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus delivered heart-searching words. He said that anyone who listens to His words and puts them into practice would be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. When the floods and winds storm the house, it doesn't fall because it is built on the rock. But when these disasters storm a foolish man's house, it collapses because he built his house on the sand. (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49)

The point that the Lord Jesus made was that if we keep listening to His words but do not put them into practice, we will collapse when difficulties storm our lives. Head-knowledge without heart-obedience cannot stand well during crises. But if we keep hearing and obeying God's Word, we will live a steadfast and unshakable life amidst the storms of life.

The outbreak of Coronavirus is a testing time for God's people about their obedience and genuine knowledge. We have been reading God's Word and listening to sermons about the goodness and sovereignty of God and trusting Him in times of difficulties. Praise God! But what does Coronavirus crisis reveal about the condition of our heart concerning all that we have been learning?

In their book "How People Change", Timothy Lane and Paul David Tripp show us the humble truth: "Trials do not cause us to be what we have not been; rather, they reveal what we have been all along. The harvest the trial produces is the result of the roots already in our hearts."

So what does Covid-19 pandemic disclose to us about how much we know God and obey His Word? Where is our faith in God's goodness and sovereignty? Where is our praise and thanksgiving to God in this affliction? Where are our unceasing prayers for God's kind help with whom nothing is impossible? Where is our comfort of God? Where is our joy in the Lord? Where is our hope of eternal life through Christ's death and resurrection? Where is our obedience to all that we have been reading and listening about God?

Contextualizing the Lord Jesus' words spoken at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, let us put it this way. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. When Coronavirus comes closer to his doors or storms his life, he is steadfast and unshaken because he built his house on the rock (knowledge with obedience).

But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. When Coronavirus comes closer to his doors or storms his life,  he is shaken and collapses because he built his house on the sand (head-knowledge without obedience).

What does the pandemic Covid-19 reveal about the condition of our hearts?

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The Answer to the Mystery of Suffering

Why does suffering exist in the world?

Some claim, “God must be good but not all-powerful, or He must be all-powerful but not good. If God is both good and all-powerful, how can He allow suffering to exist in the world? Why doesn’t He erase suffering from the earth?”

The problem with such thinking is that these people only consider the goodness of God and His almightiness. What is missing in their perspective is God’s sovereignty. God is not just good and almighty; He is also sovereign.

Here is the biblical description of God’s sovereignty:

Psalm 135:6, "Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps." 

2 Chronicles 20:6, "O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you." 

Daniel 4:35, All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand or say to Him, “What have you done?”

Isaiah 46:10-11, "For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it."

What is the answer to the mystery of suffering? God’s sovereignty. But who knows God’s sovereign mind and work? The Scripture declares:

Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  

Romans 11:33-34, Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”  

Psalm 92:5, "How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!" 

Ecclesiastes 3:11, "Man cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." 

Deuteronomy 29:29, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." 

What we know from the above Scriptures is that none would comprehend God’s sovereign mind, except what He reveals to us. To a certain extent, God's Word reveals the cause and purpose of suffering.

The Scripture reveals that the existence of suffering is due to the original sin. Adam's sin has brought the curse upon the entire human race (Rom. 5:12). Added to this plight are the wrong choices every person has made, rebelling against God's holy standards (Rom. 3:10-17). Even those who make the right choices—especially by believing in Christ Jesus and following Him—have to suffer as a consequence of living in this sinful world (Phi. 1:29). But God uses suffering to shape the character of His beloved children (Rom. 5:3-4).

Moreover, there are many questions concerning suffering which remains mysterious to our finite minds. We simply have to trust God's sovereignty, knowing, "The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He" (Deut. 32:4).

When one focuses only on God's goodness and His almightiness without giving thought to His sovereignty, he would assume God to function according to his expectations. It is only when one knows the sovereignty of God that he would heed the words, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10), and acknowledge with Job, "Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know" (42:3).

Though we have to go through suffering in this sinful world, God's Word has good news for us. All who have repented of their sins against the holy God and believed in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins, they have become a new creation by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. The glorious eternity is waiting for them when "He [God] will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Rev. 21:4)

DEAR FRIEND, DON'T GIVE UP IN DARKNESS. WAIT FOR THE LIGHT.

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Ten Significant Lessons From Deuteronomy 8:2 - [Part Two]

 IF YOU HAVEN'T READ PART ONE, CLICK HERE TO READ..... 

Lesson Six

THE GOD WHO TESTS

Deuteronomy 8:2, "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, TESTING YOU TO KNOW WHAT WAS IN YOUR HEART, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

The God of the Bible is a God who tests our faith and obedience. The Scripture in Deuteronomy 8:2 clearly reveals that God tests the hearts of His people in the furnace of affliction. Let me share few more Scriptures with you.

Genesis 22:1-2 records - After these things God TESTED Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

The psalmist acknowledged, "For you, O God, have TESTED us; you have tried us as silver is tried" (Ps. 66:10).

In his parable of the sower, the Lord Jesus explains a superficial conversion in this way, "And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of TESTING fall away" (Luke 8:13).

Peter comforted the afflicted believers, "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the TESTED genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Similarly, James wrote to the believers under trials, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the TESTING of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (Jas. 1:1-4).

Dear readers, God is not simply flattered by our words and passion. He tests our heart and sincerity. When we are devoted to Him in times of testing and not fall away from our faith and obedience to Him, God would be greatly pleased and takes great delight in us.

Does God find our faith and obedience to be genuine when He tests us?

One may wonder, "When God knows all things, why should He test us to know our heart?" The next lesson answers this question.

Lesson Seven
DOES GOD KNOW ALL THINGS?

Deuteronomy 8:2, "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, TESTING YOU TO KNOW WHAT WAS IN YOUR HEART, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

One of the majestic attributes of God is His omniscience, meaning, He knows all things. David specifically stated, "Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether" (Ps. 139:4).

So when God knows all things, why should He test to know what's in the heart?

Some try to justify this by saying that God wants us to know our own heart. If that's the case, the Scripture would say God tested your heart to expose it to yourself. But the Scripture says God tested to know what's in your heart. I think God knew the grammar well when He inspired His authors:-)

Words fall short to describe the mysterious works of God. For our understanding, let me use the words "intellectual knowledge" and "experiential knowledge".

God in His intellectual knowledge knows all things. He is ignorant of nothing. All eternity is laid bare before His infinite mind. However, when the Scripture says God tested to know what's in your heart, it means, He desired to know by experience, bringing into reality what's in the heart.

Moreover, when Abraham proved himself faithful by obeying God, the angel of God said, "NOW I KNOW that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me" (Gen. 22:12).

Doesn't God know beforehand that Abraham feared Him? He did. But He knew by experience that Abraham feared God when in reality he was willing to offer his son Isaac on the altar for the Lord's sake.

The word "know" in these contexts speaks about God's experiential knowledge. God knows all things, but He also wants to experience the things He knows by bringing them into reality.

Lesson Eight

WHERE GOD GUIDES HE PROVIDES

Deuteronomy 8:2, "And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD YOUR GOD HAS LED YOU THESE FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

The Scripture not only speaks about God leading His people in the wilderness, but it also reveals of God's providence in the wilderness.

Verse 3 shows that God provided them with manna. Verse 4 tells that their clothes did not wear out on them and their foot did not swell those forty years. Verse 15 reminds how God protected them from predators and provided them water from the rock. Above all, the Lord's glorious presence was with them.

What do we learn from this Scripture?

God not only takes us through suffering, but also sustains us in it. He will not let us suffer alone in difficulties. He will not leave us nor forsake us. He will be with us and provides our every need to remain strong and to walk victoriously in the wilderness.

The famous Psalm 23 of David affirms God's presence and providence in our troubles, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (v.4).

Paul also encourages, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Cor. 10:13).

Therefore, let us not lose heart in our journey in the wilderness. Let us not give ourselves to unbelief and bitterness. God is with us. He is good and faithful. Where He guides, He also provides. Hallelujah!

Lesson Nine

LED TO LEAD

Deuteronomy 8:2, "And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD YOUR GOD HAS LED YOU these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

How did the Lord lead the Israelites in the wilderness for forty years? We know that Moses was God's chosen leader to lead His people. Psalm 77:20 says, "You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron."

Interestingly, before leading the Israelites in the wilderness for forty years, Moses himself was in the wilderness for forty years.

When he was forty years old, Moses wanted to save his people, supposing God was giving them salvation by his hand (Acts 7:25). But he wasn't ready yet. After killing the Egyptian, he fled to Midian and lived in its wilderness.

Then after forty years, the Lord visited Moses and used him to deliver His people from the bondage of Egypt and led them through the wilderness to humble them for forty years. (Acts 7:30; Deut. 8:2)

What principle do we learn from Moses' life?

Before leading others in His ways, God leads us and teaches us His ways. Before humbling others, God humbles us. Before breaking others, God breaks us. We are not ready for ministering to others unless we are first ministered by God.

God will not bypass us (ignoring to humble us) and use us to humble others. Remember, He will not work THROUGH us unless He first works IN us. Those who are well trained in the wilderness would lead others well in the wilderness.

Charles H. Spurgeon rightly said, "The Lord gets His best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction."

Lesson Ten

REMEMBER, REMEMBER, REMEMBER

Deuteronomy 8:2, "And YOU SHALL REMEMBER the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

We are in the final, tenth lesson from this Scripture.

Moses commanded the Israelites to remember how the Lord had set them free from the tormenting bondage of Egypt and led them in the wilderness for forty years to teach them humility.

The word "remember" means "don't forget" or "keep in mind". This doesn't just speak about intellectually storing the things in mind, but also taking the things God has taught seriously to heart and be diligent in following them.

Regretfully, the Israelites forgot God's lessons and discipline after their entrance into the Promised Land. After sufficient exhortation and warning through His prophets, the Lord had to send them on exile in their enemy’s territory and again teach them humility.

What do we learn from the failure of Israel?

The Lord's ways, His teachings and His discipline are precious and good for us. We must remember them and be diligent in living accordingly by the divine power He has given us. We should not allow negligence or casual attitude to creep and grow in us.

It is good for us to deeply value the lessons God teaches and be careful in following them. When we humbly walk with God, He will take us from glory to glory. Nevertheless, we sinful people often forget God's work of humility in us and slip into complacency and arrogance.

Now, here is the point - if we forget God's works and ways which He teaches in the wilderness to humble us, we may have to go back to the wilderness to start all over again the lessons of humility.

Prayer

"Heavenly Father, how good and gracious You are towards us. You are the God who loves us and desires to mold us into Your likeness. We learn that unless we become humble, we would never reflect Your character and glory. So Lord, break us, melt us, and mold us, through whatever means, to become humble vessels. May we decrease, and Your Name be exalted forever and ever. In Jesus Name. Amen."

 CLICK HERE TO READ PART ONE 

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Ten Significant Lessons From Deuteronomy 8:2 - [Part One]

Note: This article is divided into two parts. It would be helpful to the readers to study this material in its entirety in order to gain comprehensive understanding of God's wonderful lessons for His children from Deuteronomy 8:2.

Lesson One

GOD'S PASSION FOR OUR HUMILITY

Deuteronomy 8:2, "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, THAT HE MIGHT HUMBLE YOU, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

After delivering the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt, one important attitude God wanted to cultivate in these people was ‘humility’.

God’s passion is the same even for those who are delivered from the bondage of sin and have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. He desires to teach us humility and to keep us humble.

Why is God passionate to humble us? It is because by nature we are arrogant.

Although we appear to each other polite and good, the fact is, we are full of pride within. We are born in pride and have grown in pride. Pride is our inherent nature.

Pride does not disappear after our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, it becomes even more evident in our hearts. So God's passion is to break us and keep us humble. He does so by allowing difficult circumstances and difficult people into our lives, which could be called ‘wilderness experience’.

O, we cannot be Christ's followers and yet cherish and nourish pride in us! God cannot let that happen. He loves us so much that He will not let pride ruin us. He is passionate to see us walk in humility, which is a blessed calling of His beloved children.

The Lord spoke in His Word, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD.” (Mic. 6:8)

Therefore, in view of God's love and our depraved nature, let us humbly submit to our Lord's rod of discipline. Let Him mold us as humble vessels on the wheel of affliction. Let us become humble followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lesson Two

BLESSINGS WITHOUT HUMILITY IS A CURSE

Deuteronomy 8:2, "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, THAT HE MIGHT HUMBLE YOU, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

The Living God earnestly desired to give the Promised Land to the people of Israel. However, He wanted to teach His people humility before fulfilling His promise. And He took them through the wilderness journey for forty years.

The reason God took the Israelites through the wilderness is not to make their lives miserable; He did this to teach them humility. The purpose of suffering is not to make our lives miserable; it is to make us humble.

Why?

Blessings without humility would do more damage than good. Blessings without humility would take us away from God. Blessings without humility makes us arrogant in our relationship with others. Blessings without humility makes us more self-centered. Blessings without humility is a curse.

Sadly, even in these forty years, many Israelites did not learn humility and perished in the wilderness. They wanted just blessings, not humility.

We all want blessings. We love to be blessed. But humility is our greater need than blessings. God is more concerned about our character than about our comforts.

Therefore, let us pray more for humility. Let us seek humility. Let us walk in humility.

Lesson Three

MARK OF HUMILITY

Deuteronomy 8:2, "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, THAT HE MIGHT HUMBLE YOU, testing you to know what was in your heart, WHETHER YOU WOULD KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS OR NOT."

We have learned that God took the Israelites through the wilderness for forty years in order to teach them humility. But what is humility? What happens when a person is humbled? What is the mark of humility?

The Scripture says that God humbled the people of Israel through the wilderness experience to know whether they would keep His commandments or not.

Humility isn’t essentially about simple appearance, tender conduct, and polite conversation. All these can be faked externally, although internally we are full of pride.

Humility is fundamentally OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WORD. A humble person is willing to obey God at any cost, honestly admit his sins and weaknesses, live a transparent life, submit himself to the exhortation and admonition by others, and make every effort to glorify God through his obedience to His Word.

Inevitably, this humility is tested in the wilderness. We know how some seemingly soft persons possess a hardened heart. When situations become difficult, they manifest wild behaviour and despise to obey God's Word. It is in the wilderness that their true nature is exposed.

Let us, therefore, prove to be faithfully humble in the wilderness. Let us not manifest stiff-necked attitude in difficulties. Let us fear God and obey His Word at all times, for this is the mark of true humility.

Lesson Four

DOES GOD TAKE US THROUGH DIFFICULTIES?

Deuteronomy 8:2, "And you shall remember the whole way that THE LORD YOUR GOD HAS LED YOU THESE FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

Many suppose that God is so loving that He will not take us through difficulties, and any suffering that we face is from the devil. This is a grave misconception.

The Scripture clearly says that it is the Lord who took the Israelites through the wilderness for forty years. It is not the devil, even Moses. It is the loving God.

Even in the context of Job's suffering, we must know that it is God who gave permission to the devil to take him through the fiery trials. It is God who was in control over Job's life, not the devil.

Some may question, “Why does the loving God take His children through suffering?”

We think, if God is loving, He must always make and keep our lives comfortable. But God thinks that if He is loving, He must develop our character and teach us steadfast obedience. And our character is shaped in suffering. It is written, "Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character" (Rom. 5:3-4).

There are infinite comforts and pleasures in heaven which we will enjoy eternally. But, here on earth, God is focused on cultivating godly character in us by taking us through difficulties. For this reason, the Scripture encourages:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (Jas. 1:2-4).

Lesson Five

ADVERSITY EXPOSES REALITY

Deuteronomy 8:2, "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, TESTING YOU TO KNOW WHAT WAS IN YOUR HEART, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

When Moses told the people all that the Lord had commanded, all the Israelites responded together, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do" (Exo. 19:8).

Did these people really do all that the Lord had commanded? Did they keep their word? Did their talk reflect their walk?

We know they failed in following the Lord. The wilderness journey proved that they only paid lip service to the Lord's commandments.

The Scripture clearly says that the Lord had taken His people through the wilderness to test their obedience. Adversity exposes reality.

Thomas A Kempis said it right, "Adversity does not make us weak; it only shows how weak we are." How true!

Many of us are good at great talk and enthusiastic passion, but it is in suffering that our true commitment to the Lord is manifested.

When Job faced immense suffering (our suffering may not come anywhere close in comparison), the Scripture declares, "In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrong." (Job 1:22. cf. 2:10)

However, considering the trials of Israel in the wilderness, in all their suffering, they grumbled and sinned against God.

When we go through suffering, do we reflect the attitude of Job or the people of Israel in the wilderness? Does adversity prove us to be faithful or unfaithful disciples?  CLICK HERE TO READ PART TWO 

Conversation Between a Believer and the Lord Jesus on Suffering

Believer: Lord, why am I suffering when I am your believer and follower?  I don't think I must suffer as your child.

Lord Jesus: My beloved child, when did I say you won’t suffer when you believe in me and follow me? Haven't you heard me well? I plainly said.....

"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)  

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." This speaks about the invitation to suffer. (Luke 9:23)   

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:13-14)

"Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22) 

"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake." (Philippians 1:29)  

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." (1 Peter 4:12) 

Believer: Lord, I don't understand this. Why should I suffer as your believer and follower?

Lord Jesus:

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-3)  

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:3-5)  

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7) 

Believer: I don't think, Lord, I can undergo these sufferings. It is beyond my ability to endure.

Lord Jesus:

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Believer: What should I do, Lord, in suffering? I find it painful to go through trials.

Lord Jesus:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) 

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray." (James 5:13) 

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) 

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12)

 Believer: But, how long, O Lord, will I go through various kinds of suffering?

Lord Jesus:  

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:7-8)

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:10-11)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4) 

Believer:

"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." (Job 42:2-3)

"Not my will, but yours, be done." (Luke 22:42)

Lord Jesus: "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)

______________________________

Enquiries: 

cstephendavid@gmail.com 

(or)

messageforourage@gmail.com

Are We Suffering DIFFERENTLY from the World? [Part Three]

 Click here to read Part Two 

3. Suffering for Righteousness' Sake

In His outstanding sermon on the mount, the Lord Jesus declared, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10, ESV).

The word “righteousness” speaks about “the holy standards of God,” “that which is in opposition to sin,” and “being and doing the right thing in the sight of God.”

Before going further, we must understand that there is none righteous before God’s eyes (Rom. 3:10). All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). And it is only through faith in Christ Jesus, who paid the price for our sins on the cross, that we are justified before God and have peace with Him (Rom. 5:1).

All those who have become righteous in Christ before God are now called to live a righteous life in this world. We are aware that the present world is sinful and hostile to the ways of God. Living a life of righteousness here is to suffer and face opposition for righteousness’ sake.

How God’s people face opposition when they rise against crimes like abortion and corruption, speak against immoral things like fornication and homosexuality, and stand against wickedness like idolatry, greed, lies and deception!

The world hates righteousness, the holy standards of God, and it makes life difficult for those who choose to walk in righteousness. However, the Scripture says, “Blessed are those who suffer for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10).

Some of us think, “Why do we have to face difficulties when we choose to obey God’s Word? Why do we have to suffer loss for living a righteous life?” But the Word of God makes it plain that we will suffer when we stand for righteousness and that this is a blessed suffering. Not all things go well here for those who stand well for the Lord. It may be well for the soul, but not for the body.

Consider Joseph, a young man who feared God and shunned evil. When Potiphar’s wife chased him to lie with her, he fled from her, causing her to become angry and frustrated. What did he immediately face as a result? False accusation, humiliation and imprisonment (Genesis 39). However, as we know, the Lord eventually exalted Joseph.

Think also about Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They refused to compromise with sin. They stood for righteousness. As a result, they faced persecution, humiliation and suffering. In all these difficulties, the Lord stood with them and upheld them. (Book of Daniel)

When we stand uncompromisingly for the Lord and do not compromise with sin, although we face suffering and opposition for a while, the Lord will eventually honor our faithfulness, if not here but certainly on the Day of Judgment.

Having said that, not many who are called as ‘Christians’ and ‘God’s people’ are suffering for righteousness’ sake. They compromise with sin because they either love the pleasures of the world or are afraid to face rejection and suffering for righteousness’ sake. George F. MacLeod rightly said, “The greatest criticism of the church today is that no one wants to persecute it because there is nothing very much to persecute it about.”

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, are you suffering only like the world with issues of sickness, finance and interpersonal conflicts? Or are you also suffering differently from the world for righteousness’ sake unlike the world?

Let us, as God’s people, suffer for speaking the truth. May we suffer for standing against injustice and unrighteousness. Let us suffer for not compromising with corruption and deception. May we suffer for speaking boldly in love, calling sin as sin and truth as truth. Let us suffer for righteousness’ sake.

Consider carefully the words of Peter in 1 Peter 3:13-17:

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. (ESV)

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Finally, all three parts of the message are written to motivate God’s people to suffer differently from the world. May we be known for suffering for being a Christian, for preaching the gospel of Christ Jesus and for righteousness’ sake. May the Lord give us His grace and mercy to suffer for His glory until His return to take us home with Him in His eternal glory.

 Click here to read Part One 

 Click here to read Part Two 

_________________________________________

Enquiries: 

cstephendavid@gmail.com 

(or)

messageforourage@gmail.com

Are We Suffering DIFFERENTLY from the World? [Part Two]

  Click here to read Part One 

2. Suffering for the Gospel

The Great Commission of the Lord Jesus was to go and preach the gospel and to make disciples of all nations (Mark 16:16; Matt. 28:19). The proclamation of the gospel of Christ is the responsibility of all believers of Christ Jesus. Some do this locally and some globally. All have to work to accomplish this glorious task before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

However, as we all know, to preach the gospel is not a welcoming experience. The early disciples had to face great suffering for the spread of the gospel of Christ. But they counted this as a great privilege and blessing.

When the apostles were beaten and were charged not to speak in the name of Jesus, it is written, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41).

What a strange reaction! They were neither ashamed for being publicly humiliated nor were they intimidated by the scourgings and beatings. Rather, they counted themselves worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name of the Lord Jesus.

What happened next? “And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.” (Acts 5:42)

The book of Acts is a record about persecution for the gospel of Christ. In the New Testament, most Scriptures that speak about suffering, they speak in the context of either for being a Christian or for proclaiming the gospel of Christ. And many modern believers draw comfort from these Scripture for suffering like the people of the world, rather than unlike the world, i.e. for the gospel of Christ Jesus.

To the believers in Philippi, Paul encouraged, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but ALSO SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have” (1:29). He wrote to the Thessalonians, “no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that WE ARE DESTINED FOR THIS” (1 Thess. 3:3). He also encouraged Timothy, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (2 Tim. 1:8).

Paul suffered for the gospel. The believers too suffered for the gospel. They knew they were destined for this. Are we suffering for the gospel? Are we preaching the gospel and facing rejection, insults and persecution? Do we know that we are called to suffer and are appointed to suffer for Christ?

In personal or corporate meetings, when asked to share our problems and sufferings, we immediately express that we are suffering due to sickness, troubles in job, interpersonal problems in family, lack of money and material comforts, children’s security, no proper house, loss of hair and beauty…etc.

Leonard Ravenhill was right, “The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.”

Candidly, how many us are suffering for the gospel? I feel ashamed to confess that I am not suffering much for the gospel. I am encouraged by the Word to arise and preach the gospel and suffer for the gospel. What a blessed suffering!

If we are not suffering for the gospel, it is because we are NOT preaching the gospel. Everyone who preaches the gospel will suffer. 

Even many pastors and preachers are not suffering for the gospel. This is because they are not preaching the gospel to unbelievers, but preaching sermons only to believers, enjoying their praise and applause.

The world today is becoming so hostile to the exclusive message of the gospel of Christ that we face inevitable suffering if we courageously proclaim the gospel. Our Lord Jesus already said, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19)

Remember, if we are not preaching the gospel, we are not living for our Lord who loved us and laid His life for us. If we are not suffering for the gospel, we are not suffering for Christ. As believers of Christ, we are called to live for Christ and suffer for His gospel and glory.

O, how Paul expressed his passion to share in Christ’s sufferings! (Phi. 3:10) He said, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal.” (2 Tim. 2:8-9)

Do we have this passion to suffer for Christ and for His gospel?

Let us stop focusing and complaining about our suffering like the world does. Of course, we have to pray and trust in God to help us in our earthly troubles. But let our suffering be different from the world. Let us also suffer for the gospel. Let us not be afraid of the suffering for the gospel. Let us rejoice in our suffering for the gospel. Like the early disciples, let us count ourselves blessed to suffer for the Name of Jesus (Acts 5:41).

Let us not love our lives and abstain from preaching the gospel. The Lord Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for MY SAKE AND THE GOSPEL’S will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)

Remember, we suffer for Christ only on earth, and our life on earth is short. Let us not miss this privilege. Let us preach the gospel and partake in the glorious privilege of suffering for Christ.   Click here to read Part Three 

Are We Suffering DIFFERENTLY from the World? [Part One]

Note: This article is divided into three parts. I request the readers to study this material in its entirety in order to get a proper overview of my presentation. 

Suffering is not something only a Christian experiences. Whether believers or unbelievers, everyone in this world face suffering.

If every person suffers, what’s the big deal about a Christian going through suffering?

There is some similarity between the suffering of a believer and an unbeliever. And a believer has the blessed privilege of trusting in the Lord for help. However, a believer has to suffer more and differently than an unbeliever. 

Here is a fact to consider: An unbeliever cannot completely suffer like a believer nor can a believer suffer only like an unbeliever.

Having said that, I must make an honest confession that most believers do not suffer any differently from the people of the world. They suffer only from sickness, financial crisis, problems at home, anxiety about the welfare of children, stress in workplace, insecurity about future, low self-esteem, disappointment due to failures, tension about marriage and settlement…etc.

Well, some may ask, “Are these sufferings not enough? For what more do we have to suffer?” 

Although a believer may suffer similarly like the world, the Holy Scripture reveals that the suffering of a believer is not just like the world. It is more. It is unique. Let me share three things for which a believer suffers differently from unbelievers.

1. Suffering for Being a Christian

The Lord Jesus said:

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter- in- law against her mother- in- law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. (Matthew 10:34-36)

It is troubling, even confusing, to hear these words of Jesus. We know the Lord Jesus is the Prince of Peace. How then can He say that He did not come to bring peace? How can He stir up trouble in the family?

This is what Christ meant. When a person believes in the Lord Jesus and stops following the customs and beliefs of his family, his unbelieving family members, even his community, would become his enemies. They oppose the gospel and his belief in Christ. They hate losing their family member to Christ. In some cases, they may even persecute this person. It is in this sense that Christ would bring sword (enmity) between believing and unbelieving members of the family.

When a person suffers for becoming a Christian or a disciple of Christ, the Scripture calls it a blessed suffering.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. YET IF ANYONE SUFFERS AS A CHRISTIAN, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (2 Peter 4:12-16)

Many believers in the early church had to suffer immensely for becoming the followers of Christ. For this reason, Paul and Barnabas encouraged the new believers “saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Also, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” (2 Thess. 1:4)

The early believers were ostracized from their family and community. They faced rejection. They were insulted. They were beaten. They were imprisoned. They lost their dear ones. They lost their property. Many were even brutally killed. In many instances, to become a Christian was to become a martyr.

Even today, in the persecuted nations and regions, many believers are suffering for choosing to believe in Christ. About such people, the Lord Jesus said, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matt. 5:11)

Yes, there are some places and family situations where a person need not suffer much for becoming a Christian. I was born and raised in a nominal Christian family and I didn’t have to suffer for becoming a follower of Christ, except that I faced rejection from my unbelieving friends.

Nevertheless, there may be situations where we may have to face rejection for being a “Christian”, perhaps at workplace, foreign land, and among hostile people towards the gospel of Christ. At such incidents, let us not be ashamed to call ourself a “Christian” or be afraid to suffer for being a “Christian”.

Moreover, I know people from other faiths who face much suffering for putting their faith in Christ. About such people, the Holy Bible proclaims they are “BLESSED”.

Dear brothers and sisters, if you are suffering for becoming a follower of Christ, don’t be disheartened. It is a worthy suffering. You are greatly blessed and great is your reward in the Kingdom of God.  Click here to read Part Two