Daily Devotional
Christians Are Promised Persecution
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.”
Matthew 24:9
July 14, 2023
Ponder This
Did you know this world has room for almost every religion except that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Our persecution is going to center in the name of Jesus. The world does not mind religion, but it resents Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). It is estimated that 360 million Christians live in countries where persecution is significant. Every year tens of thousands are kidnapped, detained, or imprisoned. Every year, thousands of Christians are murdered, and thousands of churches are destroyed*. And if you are paying attention at all, you know that Christian bashing is a favorite sport now for many forms of media.
- How does it make you feel to be reminded that Jesus has promised His people would be persecuted for following Him faithfully?
- Why is it worth facing this harsh reality?
*Statistics from Open Doors USA
Practice This
Spend time today reading about a few well-known Christian martyrs. Pray for Christians facing significant persecution and for your own faithfulness to Christ, no matter what you face.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Real Truth Never Changes
Real truth never changes, and the truth about government is that it is God who ordains it, leaders who are responsible for it, and citizens who are accountable to it. The privilege of being called Americans comes with significant responsibilities—to God, to each other, and to the world.
