When the World Hates Us

Sunflower © Deb Davis 2013

Scripture:
Even though princes sit and talk against me,
Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
Your testimonies also are my delight;
They are my counselors. (Psalm 119:23-24, NASB)

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Observation:
-We must continue to meditate on Scripture no matter what anyone else thinks.
-Scripture is our counselor.


Application:

Credit for cartoon-www.evangelicaloutreach.org

I saw this cartoon on a friend's facebook page this week and it expresses clearly a sad reality.  People do not flock to churches to hear the Scriptures being faithfully taught.  I have come to believe that when the world starts to laud a preacher or a church then it is time to take a closer look at their message.  God's ways are not popular with the masses and that can leave us feeling rather alone in the world.  But take heart.  We are never alone.

When our lives are directed by God and we live according to His Word we can count on people talking against us.  Remember the arrogant from yesterday's post?   Consider Jesus' words from what we refer to as The Beatitudes:   
"Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!  Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets." (Luke: 6:22-23, ESV)

And
"Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets." (Luke 6:26, ESV)

What does Jesus tell us when we are feeling alone and ridiculed for holding fast to the testimonies of God?  Rejoice in that day!  Leap for joy!  Those who have gone before you have experienced the same thing (and even worse things.)  You have found a great treaasure that will never be taken away from you-a treasure that leads to even greater reward in heaven.
The best counsel in the world comes God.  How blessed we are to have His word written for us so that we can come anytime and sit at His feet and listen to His word.  It is a treasure, and it should be the delight of everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus.

Grace, Peace, and Mercy,
Deb