If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
It hurts to be insulted. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about the collective teasing and ribbing that take place among people who generally get along with each other. I’m talking about that moment when someone crosses the line, takes part of what you are and holds it up for contempt. That hurts.
For many of you who use these daily devotions, those who insult your Christian faith are a fact of life. Perhaps it’s the co-worker who dismisses you for being so stupid and naïve. Perhaps it’s the schoolmate who goes out of her way to flaunt something sinful in front of you. Perhaps it’s the guy down at the gym who picks religious fights for fun. Perhaps it’s the family member who rolls her eyes at you and your “narrow” view of the world. Sure, usually you can ride the waves and take the cutting remarks in stride. But there are times when it gets to be too much. There are times when the insults just hurt.
When that happens, your Lord wants you to remember that such insults mark you as someone he has blessed. Oh, sure, it doesn’t feel like a blessing. But that’s okay, because the truth remains that those insults identify you as someone the Holy Spirit has brought into God’s family, someone surrounded by God’s promises, someone embraced by full forgiveness through faith in Jesus.
So let the insults come. Let the eyes roll. Let the snickers and the sneers do their worst. Jesus says they only remind you that you belong to him. When we keep that in mind, then such insults are not so bad after all.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when the insults come to attack my faith, empower me by your Spirit to remember that such insults mark me as someone blessed by you. In difficult moments give me peace of mind and heart. Amen.Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word
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