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Of all the beatitudes the hardest one for me to understand is this last one. “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10). Persecution comes in many forms—rejection, ridicule, and mockery come to mind, but they are mild forms of persecution. Hebrews describes some of the more violent forms of persecution: “Others were tortured…some [were] flogged, while others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword” (Hebrews 11:35-37). I can’t help asking, “How blessed is that?”
“Whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for us.”
— Romans 8:18 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)
Lord, give us the grace to remain faithful when persecution comes. Amen.