THURSDAY August 17, 2023
Beaten for Christ’s Sake
And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
Acts 16:20-22
Paul used the authority given to him by Christ to deliver a demon possessed girl who was being used to make a profit for her masters through fortune telling. They became extremely angry when she was delivered from the demon: ...when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities (Acts 16:19).
Paul and Silas were arrested and, as Jews, were accused of teaching customs that were unlawful. They had no idea that Paul was a Roman citizen! They were beaten with rods that had the capability to wound a person so severely that their backs split open and bled.
As an Apostle called by God, Paul knew he would suffer. The Lord revealed it to Paul: “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:16). Paul began to record his sufferings endured for the glory of God:
...in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep... (2 Corinthians 11:23-25).
What about us? We are told in 2 Timothy 3:12 NIV ...everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.... What should our reaction to suffering be? In 1 Peter 4:19, we find the answer: Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
God is faithful. He will see you through the trials. He is with you in your sufferings. He will never leave or forsake you.
God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.
~A. W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
