Psalm 17 Vindication

While in this world, Christians will always be despised by unbelievers. The scientific community says we are closed minded, social groups say we are fanatics, and others just plain think religion is not the way to go. But as long as we are on this planet, we are called to be witnesses for the kingdom of God. We should never hide our light from the world. Unfortunately, the accusations that come against us are sometimes heavy upon us and a cry for vindication arises in our hearts. The desire to be clear of blame or even suspicion is a cry for justice deep within our hearts. Unfortunately, we are not to take justice in our own hands and vindication comes from the Lord.

In this lament in Psalm 17, David cries out to the Lord for the many false accusation made against him and pleads with the Lord for his vindication. If there is one thing I can learn from this Psalm is that I need to pray when I feel that I have been mistreated, falsely accused, or misjudged. Prayer in the presence of God makes the difference between bitterness and resentment and fullness of joy. Whether the accusations come from the world or from brothers and sisters, I am to seek God with all my heart.

Though David was asking for God to act in the here and now, he realizes that vindication sometimes will not be exacted until the end of times. He was content to exclaim: 

"15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness." 

We may never receive our vindication in this lifetime. Many prophets and servants of God did not receive theirs while in this life. But one day, we will be vindicated in full. For now, we should behold God's face and look forward to the day when we awake and will be satisfied with his likeness. That day will come! We will be vindicated! Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Father, fill my heart with joy everlasting. May I seek you and find in you my refuge. Give me endurance to wait for my full vindication on that day. Don't let my heart become resentful or bitter while I await.
Amen.

Acts 9:19b-25 Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues

After the amazing encounter that Saul had with the resurrected Christ, he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues. Jesus impacted his life so powerfully that he could not hold back from proclaiming him. He went directly to the synagogues to share Jesus. What has been the impact of Jesus upon my life? Am I willing to proclaim his name? or am I still hiding in the shadows afraid of what people may think of me? Paul did not care one bit what his own fellow Jews would think of him. All that mattered was to proclaim Jesus and it was a priority, not just an accident. Am I making the proclamation of Jesus a priority in my life?

His message was simple: "He is the Son of God." Referring to Jesus as the Christ, the promised one, the Messiah. Paul set out to prove that Jesus was the one the Jews were waiting for and he used the Scriptures to do so. He even confounded the Jews with his message, he amazed many with the power of his argument. It is not enough for me to believe that Jesus existed. It is not enough to believe that he was a good man, a healer who was concerned for the sick. It is not enough to believe that Jesus was a prophet with a powerful message and wisdom that no one could oppose. It is necessary that I believe and proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate, God among us, the Christ who died for my sins, resurrected from the dead, and now at the right hand of the Father.

Saul's conversion and message is one of the most powerful evidences of our Christian faith even today.  How do you explain the change of heart of a man who was learned in the Law and was set against the Church willing to kill Christians to defend his beliefs and spare the world from such heresies? How do explain the behavior of a man willing to risk his status and reputation among his fellow Jews to the point of risking his own life? The transformation of a man like this is due to the power of the Gospel, the reality of an encounter with Christ himself. There is no other way to explain it.  Jesus Christ touched Saul's life and changed it forever!

The Jews were amazed and confounded by Saul's conversion and preaching, but still they plotted against his life. The man who went to Damascus with authority to capture and drag Christians back to Jerusalem to be judged, became a believer himself and his life was in danger. The hunter became the hunted, not because the original prey became the hunter; he abandoned the other hunters to join the prey. Saul was lowered in a basket through a hole in the wall to avoid a certain death in the hands of the Jews. Am I willing to take such risks for the sake of my beliefs? Am I willing to accept the fact that while in this world, Christians will always be hated and hunted given the opportunity? Christians are like sheep in the midst of wolves. Would I rather be a wolf?

Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ to the world. Help me understand clearly his work on my behalf on the cross so that I may proclaim him without fear or reservation. Fill me with boldness and courage to proclaim his name. Help me stand firm in my faith until the end. Amen.

Acts 9:1-9 The Conversion of Saul

Saul of Tarsus, later the apostle Paul, was determined to take down Christians "breathing threats and murder" against them. He went to the high priest to ask for letters to capture them in the surrounding towns and bring them back to Jerusalem. It is not certain what the nature of the letters were, but it could have been   some sort of a license to capture and transport Christians. There are many people like Saul in the world today. I have to admit the reality that the Sauls of this life will persecute believers around the world.  Am I ready if it becomes my turn? I pray that I will be ready.

Paul's target was the city of Damascus, a very important city in his day. It was a center of Greco-Roman culture and trade in the Near East. Christians were thought of as people belonging to the Way. This word refers literally to a road, but metaphorically to a path, way of life, a lifestyle. In the midst of a very pagan culture at the time, Christians stood out as people who had a very different lifestyle. Their ways were not the world's ways. Is my lifestyle different than the world in which I live today? Could someone watch my lifestyle and say that I am different than the world in which I live? If my lifestyle is not any different than the world's, what kind of Christian am I then? Nominal? One who gives lip service to Christ, but whose lifestyle is not a reflection of his teachings, but the world's.

Saul was going his own way persecuting people belonging to the Way when a light from heaven flashed around him. This was a very bright light and he was knocked to the ground and he heard a voice that asked: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME?" Our Lord Jesus Christ's identification with his church, his body is so intimate that to persecute a Christian is to persecute Christ himself. Anyone who comes after me to persecute me is actually persecuting Jesus. When I am persecuted, ridiculed, or simply left out in this world, I must remember that they are doing it unto him and not just me. I am not alone!

From other accounts we know that Paul not only heard Jesus' voice, but saw him as the resurrected Christ and received instructions from him to wait. By his compliance to the voice is clear that Saul was disarmed and completely surrendered to Christ. The man that was breathing threats and murder was tamed by the power of the presence of the Lord. The self-sufficient and self-righteous Saul was brought to his knees and blinded to the point of needing others to guide him by the hand. When Christ steps into somebody's path, he changes its course forever. I must not forget that it does not matter how difficult someone may seem for Gospel, my Lord is capable of transforming hearts with his powerful presence.

Father, prepare my heart to stand strong against those who persecute you. Help me to evaluate my lifestyle and transform it to be different from the world and pleasing to you. May I never give up on anyone who rejects you no matter how difficult they may be. Amen.

Acts 8:4-8 Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria

God is an expert in redeeming terrible and chaotic circumstances. Persecution scattered the Ancient Church, but with its scattering came the spread of the Gospel. Jerusalem had become a place of comfort for the church and the Apostles made it a fortress so to speak. But in doing so, they were disobeying the very  instructions that Jesus gave them to be witnesses in Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Sometimes, God uses very unusual circumstances to overcome my lack of motivation to be a witness outside of my Jerusalem (local place of ministry). Am I entrenched in my Jerusalem unwilling to go out to Samaria to be a witness?

Another key element in the propagation of the Gospel is that not only did the disciples break out of their zones of comfort, but they all were proclaiming the good news. The preaching of the word, understood in this context as being witnesses for the kingdom, was not the exclusive task of the Apostles - "those who were scattered went about preaching the word." In fact, the Apostles remained in Jerusalem! I must be a witness myself. I can't delegate the proclamation of the word to my leaders. I am called to do so. I must obey! My willingness to proclaim the good news as a believer is a key factor to the spread of the Gospel.

The persecution also forced the Ancient Church to go into places they probably would not have gone on their own. Not only were the disciples forced to leave Jerusalem and move outwardly, but they were forced to go to undesirable (to them) places. Samaria is a case in point. The inhabitants of Samaria are descendants of the Jews that mixed themselves with foreign women of the Assyrian empire. The Jews despised them for adopting not only foreign women, but also foreign gods. The Jews despised the Samaritans so much that they would rather walk around their city than enter it to go anywhere even if it meant walking more. Where is my Samaria? Who is despised like that in my context? Is it a social class? Is it the poor? Is it an ethnic group? There could be multiple answers, but the bottom line is that I must be a witness to them also!

"Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ." Maybe to his surprise, the people paid attention to his message and many signs followed the preaching of the Gospel, just like he had experienced in his own Jewish context. God had no partiality. He demonstrated his power among them just like he did among the Jews. Philip became an instrument in God's hands to demonstrate the love, compassion, and mercy of God. The result of such a campaign of love motivated by the persecution  was much joy for the Samaritans. My pain sometimes becomes the motivator to do God's will so that others may experience joy. Christ compels me to identify my Samaria and seek them Samaritans to proclaim the good news so that they might have the opportunity to experience true joy.

Father, thanks for the tough times as well as the good times. Fill me with your Spirit and grant me courage and boldness to speak your word, to be a witness and not rely on my leaders to do so. Help me take responsibility and action. Open my eyes to see the Samaria in my context and seek them. Thank you for the joy you give us all who follow you in your kingdom. Amen.

Acts 8:1-3 Saul Ravages the Church

Saul of Tarsus was a young man when he started persecuting the Church. He was a Hellenistic Jew who loved God and his Law. He perceived the Church, like most Jews of his time,  to be against God and his Law and for this reason, he went after them with all his might to try to eradicate them from the face of the earth. Stoning was the main method for execution. The Jews persecuted the Church out of zeal.

The Romans also persecuted the Church for totally different reasons. Religion, for the Romans, was polytheist and it promoted social unity. They were very tolerant of other religions and used it as a means to keep their empire together. When they conquered a people group, they would add their gods to their pantheon and give them Roman names. They could not tolerate Christianity because it made claims of exclusivity. To the Romans, this was a threat against society. If people believed in Christ exclusively, they would lose the "glue" of their society.

The first Roman persecution was under the reign of Nero (c.64-68 ad). Tacitus, a historian of the time, reported:
"Besides being put to death they [the Christians] were made to serve as objects of amusement; they were clad in the hides of beast and torn to death by dogs; others were crucified, others set on fire to serve to illuminate the night when daylight failed. Nero had thrown open his grounds for the display, and was putting on a show in the circus, where he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or drove about in his chariot. All this gave rise to a feeling of pity, even toward men whose guilt merited the most exemplary punishment; for it was felt that they were being destroyed not for the public good but to satisfy the cruelty of an individual."


We can't forget that the persecution of the Church was predicted by Christ and it would be a sign of the end times. The Church is still under persecution - now more than ever. Much of the terrorism that we are experiencing today is somehow fueled by anti-Christian ideals. It is said that there have been more Christians martyred in the last century than in all the preceding centuries combined together. Here are some recent news concerning persecution: http://www.persecution.org/suffering/index.php


How will I react to persecution? I really don't know until I am there, but I pray that I will continue to stand strong in my faith and not crumble under its pressure. Persecution is a reminder that I don't belong to this world. It is an incentive to set my hope in Christ and look forward to his promise of a new kingdom upon the earth where peace and justice reign. Persecution, even reading about it, helps me put things in perspective very quickly. I am not going to pretend I understand persecution, but I most certainly pray that I be counted among the faithful if I have to face it.


Father, fill me with your Spirit to stand strong in my faith. May my hope always be in you and your promises of a new kingdom on earth. I pray for my brothers and sisters who are going through persecution right now. Please, strengthen them to remain faithful to you. Amen.

Acts 5:17-42 The Apostles Arrested and Freed

Here is another confrontation between the Apostles and the authorities. As Jesus had predicted, they would be hated in the world. Why? Well, the Sadducees were part of the established authority and they preached no resurrection. Also, they were jealous of the following the apostles were able to gather around them. Finally, the message of the apostles laid guilt upon them as they participated of Christ's crucifixion. Belief, jealousy, and guilt are only some reasons why the world stands against the Gospel. Even today, these three reasons still stand as powerful reasons to persecute the Christians and the Church. The world will do everything it can to silence the good news of the Gospel and stop it from spreading.

How did the Apostles react to the authorities' persecution? For one, they were submitted to the authorities. I don't see any attempts to even resist arrest. They did what they had to do and allowed the authorities to do what they had to do. No violence. No name calling. No animosities. The Apostles did not hesitate to obey even in the midst of great pressure. They were preaching and teaching when they were arrested the first time. They were preaching and teaching when they were freed and commanded to continue to speak all the words of this Life by the angel. They went out to preach and teach after they were beaten and charged not to speak in the name of Jesus by the authorities. Their motto was: "We must obey God rather than men."

What could motivate the apostles to risk their own safety for the sake of the Gospel? So much for Maslow's hierarchy of needs. According to Maslow, safety ranks way above self-actualization; second only to physiological needs. Yet we see the apostles giving their all to preach and teach the gospel of the kingdom. Safety needs pale in comparison to the need to obey God. The apostles found all their needs met by God. They found joy even in the midst of their lack of safety. My greatest need is not physiological or even safety. My greatest need is God and he is the provider of all my other needs.

It is quite idolatrous of me to have my needs to outrank God. It is unbecoming of the kingdom of God to think that my service to others is contingent upon the satisfaction of my needs. If I make God my everything and obedience to him my priority, then I am able to serve despite my hunger. I will be able to serve despite unsafe surroundings and threats. Obedience to God becomes my food. God himself becomes my safety. Iam able to give to others because my needs are satisfied by my God.

Dear Lord, may I never make your gifts and provision a requirement to obey and serve you. Make me see that you are all I need. Amen.

Matthew 24:1-14 Signs of the Close of the Age

The disciples wanted to know when the destruction of the temple was going to take place and what was the sign for Jesus' return. A sign is an indicator of what is to come. It is important to realize that the conversation has two very distinct events in view: the destruction of the temple and the return of Christ. But Christ does not make a clear distinction between these events in his timetable. It is my conviction that the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (AD70) are the characteristic events that will lead us to Christ's return.

What are those events? In short, they are: false prophets, wars, famines, persecution, and apostasy. The appearance of false doctrines and prophets is as common as wars and famines around the world. The Church is being persecuted today more than ever before. We had more martyrs for the faith in the 20th c. than all the previous centuries combined and it is going to get worse. As a result of persecution there will be a great apostasy - people denying and abandoning the faith. These events led to the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple and will continue to lead this age to its close.

One important and determining factor for Christ's return is the proclamation of this gospel of the kingdom into all the world as a testimony to all nations. All other sings are out of my control, but this one is in my hands. If I work to ensure the proclamation of the gospel around the world, I am in fact working to ensure the return of Christ is sooner rather than later. I must have a sense of urgency about missions. It means the end of this age filled with evil and suffering to welcome a new age filled with joy and peace. I want to go home...

Unfortunately, another sign that has to do with me as a believer more than the world, is cold-growing love.  Is my love for Christ and for others growing cold? Am I afraid of persecutions and want to play it safe? A love that grows cold is a hindrance to the proclamation of the gospel and therefore to the prompt return of Christ. A cold love will make me worry about my local church but not care for world missions. The promise of salvation is for those who persevere until the end. I must persevere in the teachings of Christ. I must persevere in love. I must persevere in the proclamation of the Gospel.

Lord, help me be alert to the signs of the end of the age. Grant me courage so that I will not be intimidated by persecution. Fill me with a sense of urgency to preach the Gospel around the world to speed your return. Revive my love for you and the world; don't let it grow cold. Give me strength to persevere until the end.

Matthew 10:16-25 Persecution Will Come

There is a Spanish saying that goes like this: "En guerra avisada no muere gente." It literally translates: "People don't die in an announced war." In other words, it means that no one should be surprised since a warning has been given with enough anticipation. It presumes that people will prepare given the opportunity. Unfortunately, experience tells us otherwise. We still have unnecessary casualties during our hurricane season because some people ignore the warnings and don't take refuge.

Jesus' warns the apostles as they set out to do ministry in the surrounding towns. It was a valid warning then and it is still a valid warning today. I'm used to seeing signs of danger from animals, construction sites, even power lines. But Jesus' warning is "BEWARE OF MEN." He is referring to the unbelieving kind. It's like the funny sign that reads: "Forget the dog, beware of owner!" Only this is no joke; it is very serious! People of this kind are capable of name-calling, lawsuits, torture, even murder. And most terrifying of all is that our close relatives are not excluded.

This is no fantasy. The World Evangelical Alliance estimates that over 200 million Christians live in societies where they daily face the threat of being imprisoned, tortured, and killed because of their faith. In Nigeria, a young woman was kicked out of her home into abject poverty because of her Christian faith. In Vietnam, someone's daughter is being broken and abused in a mental hospital because of her Christian faith. In Laos, pastors and evangelists are tortured and killed for preaching the Gospel. Just because I don't experience it here does not mean it is not real.

Jesus' gives the apostles a "Behold" also - something to consider closely. They are sent like sheep in the midst of wolves, but they are to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. The wisdom should be displayed in avoiding anxiety, relying on the Holy Spirit, fleeing when possible, but continuing to be a witness at every opportunity. The innocence refers to avoiding violence towards those people. To be harmless as doves. Violent retaliation is not the answer. We are called to bless, not curse, even love our enemies.

Father, I intercede for my brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. Give them strength and comfort in the midst of their trial. Prepare my mind and heart for whenever it is my turn.