I’ve got a job that’s going to be good for my soul. What it does to my poor flesh and bones won’t count.”
–Zane Grey (Black Mesa)
“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.”
–Psalm 116:7 (NIV)
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“Happy are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of goodness, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs! And what happiness will be yours when people blame you and ill-treat you and say all kinds of slanderous things against you for my sake! Be glad then, yes, be tremendously glad–for your reward in Heaven is magnificent. They persecuted the prophets before your time in exactly the same way.”
–Matthew 5:10-12(Phillips)
Oh, my! Be glad. Leap for joy. To be glad means “to leap exceedingly.” What? At persecution and suffering? Yes, for it is a token of your genuineness. William Barclay says that “It is the joy which leaps for joy.” The joy within you brings out the wonderful grace that God has given you. Thomas Watson puts it like this, “An impatient martyr is a contradiction.”
Joy, joy, oh joy unspeakable because there is a great reward for those who are persecuted on earth and in heaven. Our joy on earth will be seen by the growth of faith. This faith is a “furnace grace,” a special gift when persecution comes. The victory then unites the soul with Christ and sees the world in its true state and shows the soul better things. The world is going to pot, we see that, yet we rejoice in Christ for the believer lives upon the promises of God and knows how to pick sweetness out of suffering.
I recall the words of Hugh Latimer as he and Nicholas Ridley faced the literal fire of persecution. “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace in England as shall never be put out.” The love of Christ was his, there was nothing that he would not do for his Savior, even face the fires of death. The love of Christ was there with them at the stake and the understanding that they would soon be with Christ. There was a sweet submission to the will of God and we must be content in our persecution to bear what God has allowed. “It is like the anvil which bears all strokes.” (Watson) And know this, despite the trials, the suffering, the persecution nothing can hinder you from being blessed. Recall the words of Hebrews in regard to Moses, “and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin.” (11:25, HCSB)
Heaven awaits! Oh what a glorious thought and truth. Watson states that “The cross is a golden ladder by which we climb up to heaven.” Your suffering is a rung, your trial is a rung, your trouble is another rung, all the persecutions that come your way are but steps on the ladder to glory. Our rewards there are immense, and most are not even known to us at this time on earth. They are above our thoughts, our comprehension, yet one thing we do know–we shall reign with Him. Paul writes, “…seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:17, HCSB) Listen, read, declare the pronunciation by Thomas Watson, “Those who bear the cross patiently–shall wear the crown triumphantly!”