Spirit-Living Devotional
Apostle Osborn
STANDING IN SUFFERING
[[Joh 19:26]] KJV When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
In a success driven world where everyone wants to attain success and prosperity, the message of suffering is very seldom touched. In the church, everyone wants to be promised of an easy life of abundance.
The message of suffering is however central in the Christian faith. The foundation of our faith is the excruciating death of our crucified Christ. And we are to follow His steps. Peter said, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” *(1Pet 2:21).
We are called to stand for Him in all things. Suffering here has nothing to do with poverty and sickness. We suffer for Him when we have to let go somethings willingly in other to take a stand for God. We suffer for Him when we are persecuted and ill-treated by folk because of our faith in Christ. And we must rejoice because there is a great eternal reward that comes with it.
This is the Master’s take on the matter:
[[Mat 5:11, 12]] ISV “How blessed are you whenever people insult you, persecute you, and say all sorts of evil things against you falsely because of me!
- Rejoice and be extremely glad, because your reward in heaven is great! That’s how they persecuted the prophets who came before you.”
In our opening text, when all men forsook Jesus at the cross and all His disciples deserted Him, the disciple whom Jesus loved was standing by at the cross. Our ability to stand for the Master in the midst of persecution is a demonstration of our love and loyalty to Him.
Dear friend, don’t give up if you have to go through unpleasant situations because of your faith. The Master is watching and rewards are waiting. Prevail. Refuse to compromise! Take a stand for the Master today!
Prayer:
Father I thank you for your word and the privilege to suffer and take a stand for you. I am anointed for victories and I prevail triumphant for your glory alone. I love you and I take a stand for you Lord.
