“Beware of people, because they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues. And you will be brought before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them and to the Gentiles. Whenever they hand you over for trial, do not worry about how to speak or what to say, for what you should say will be given to you at that time. For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” —Matthew 10:17–20
Jesus’ words to His disciples regarding the response they should anticipate from His message appears anything but encouraging. He taught them they were to expect suffering—on His account—in carrying out His ministry. Floggings, arrests, and fears in speaking certainly do not promote warm fuzzies and sweet dreams! Yet our Lord also directed the disciples on how to bear up under these trials, how to go on with His work even in the midst of suffering. He tells them how to battle fear—the great enemy of faith. He gives them this instruction in an effort for them to be readied for battle and to remain at peace in every circumstance. It is our Lord’s desire for His disciples to be alert to the possibilities of difficulties and to be on guard so as not to be taken by surprise by the enemy.
Jesus’ words to us in John comes to mind:
“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed my word, they will obey yours too.” —John 15:18–21
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.” —John 16:33
Scripture teaches us that following Jesus often results in the world’s hatred. James tells us that friendship with the world is hatred toward God:
“Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy.” —James 4:4
We often think that suffering, trials, and tribulations are foreign to the will of God. Actually, nothing is further from the truth. Just take a look at the life Jesus lived and suffered through for the benefit of all sinful humanity. Christ foresaw His sufferings as well as those of His followers and He bids us to go forth as He resolutely went forth himself. He gives us a “heads up” in order that we will neither be surprised nor shocked by persecution. He desires that we be strengthened and encouraged.
Peter also stressed that we are not to be surprised when difficulties come:
“Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad.” —1 Peter 4:12–13
Paul wrote:
“And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.” —Romans 8:28–30
Become More
“On Him then reckon, to Him look, on Him depend: and be assured that if you walk with Him, look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. An older brother, who has known the Lord for forty-four years, who writes this, says for your encouragement that He has never failed him. In the greatest difficulties, in the heaviest trials, in the deepest poverty and necessities, He has never failed me; but because I was enabled by His grace to trust in Him, He has always appeared for my help. I delight in speaking well of His Name.” —George Mueller
Further Reflections
“Calvary is God’s great proof that suffering in the will of God always leads to glory.” —Warren Wiersbe
“Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger … these are nothing when compared with the glory that will be revealed in, and for us.” —David Livingstone
“It is in the quiet crucible of our personal private sufferings that our noblest dreams are born and God’s greatest gifts are given; often given in compensation for what we have been through.” —Wintley Phipps