There are few events of greater historical significance in the 20th century than China’s Cultural Revolution. The Communist Party instituted changes at every level of society to enforce its ideology. These included the persecution of the nation’s Christians, with many sent to labor camps. It’s estimated that the Cultural Revolution resulted in the death of 30 million Chinese people and forced the church underground. But decades later, it turns out that the efforts to wipe out Christianity had the opposite effect. Experts believe that there are more Christians worshiping in underground churches in China than there are total believers in the US!
We see a very similar dynamic at work in the book of Acts. “A great wave of persecution” broke out against the church following the death of Stephen, and Christians fled Jerusalem for Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). But as they journeyed, they shared the gospel with others (Acts 8:4). And as they did, the church began to spread and grow. In Acts 7, there was only one local church (in Jerusalem). But after Acts 8, churches sprang up all over the known world!
The news is full of reports of Christians being persecuted around the world. Experts agree that Christians are persecuted in more nations of the world than any other religion. But there’s no reason for us to lose hope! As terrible as persecution is, we can remember that it’s not able to halt the plans and purposes of God. The sovereignty of God is such that He’s able to use the most terrible situations for His glory and for our good (Romans 8:28). Let’s stand in prayer, hope, and God’s strength as we remember our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 23:1-12
More:
Read Acts 9:1-20 to see how God turned a persecutor into one who actually spread the gospel!
Next:
Have you ever seen God use something negative or discouraging to accomplish something amazing? If yes, how did that change your perception of God’s power and ways?
jjw2855 on September 24, 2016 at 12:14 am
Thank you for today’s devotion ‘Peter Chin’. It is a timely God’s answer for me. Thank you for reminding us that persecutions will not halt the plans and purpose of God. I just received an email from India about a Christian man named Prashant Bhatnagar in India, abducted and severely beaten for distributing Christian literature. Being a person of Indian extract living overseas, my heart ached when I heard this news. Yes there are so many of our Christian brothers and sisters in faith, who are persecuted around the world. I agree we need to constantly pray for our suffering brothers and sisters and support them however possible. Yes, God is able to use the most terrible situations for His glory and for our good. All praise be to our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ.
Gary Shultz on September 24, 2016 at 6:58 am
Peter, you light a match to burn a fire. Is that what needs to happen?…. I am thankful for jjw’s account we do need to remember our family members in Christ who suffer. The strange is, some of those folks pray for us, that a fire would burn, it would burn off the complacency and possibly Christ would be seen clearer as in their areas. No one wants to contemplate suffering, but should we think, like we do in this country, that life is about being happy? Even though my life is not too bumpy it is not about being happy, it is not about being comfy. We all hope Christ will come before any bark is taken off our tree. What really was our call? In the name of Christ we need to stand firm regardless of where society goes, and this is the part we flinch at, “at any cost”. This is also the part we must rely on God’s faithfulness, we will not do it alone nor should we think we can. Thanks Peter
gagirllive on September 24, 2016 at 9:32 am
Well, you all must know by now that this subject is very dear to my heart since I have often mentioned it in my posts. It is truly amazing how persecution always turns out to produce the opposite results of what the persecutors hope to accomplish. What greater evidence is there of the power of the gospel and the enabling of the Holy Spirit? I am just now truly beginning to understand that persecution should be the norm on some level in our life experience as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Word tells us that those who live godly WILL suffer persecution. I agree with you, Gary, that here in the West, we have allowed our “blessings” to lure us into a lifestyle of comfort and ease. We do not know true persecution…yet. And yes, the “persecuted church” has indeed been praying for us—that we would rise up to our calling “at any cost” and live and share the gospel. I believe we are beginning to be positioned for that though, and while on one hand it brings me some apprehension, on the other hand I find myself excited about what the Spirit will produce in me when under that kind of opposition. I believe the days ahead will grow darker for us, but at the same time, it will be our finest moments to shine as lights for our Lord Jesus Christ. This is our calling, folks . Our brothers and sisters around the world—and most importantly, Christ Himself—have given us an incredible example to follow. 1 Peter 2: 21 says, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” Let’s walk in His steps, friends, as we remember to pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering for the sake of the gospel. Thank you, Peter, for this timely devotional. Grace and peace to all.
youssef1777 on September 24, 2016 at 10:35 am
LIFE GETTING HARD AND HARDER . BUT KEEP CLOSING TO GOD WITH READING HIS LIVING WORD AND PRAYING WILL KEEP OUR FAITH STRONG . WE SHOULD KEEP IN OUR MIND GOD ALWAYS IN CONTROL FOR EVERYTHING . REMEMBER THIS IS NOT OUR FINAL HOME . ONE DAY OUR LORD WILL PICK UP TO OUR HOME . HAVE FAITH IN THAT .GOD BLESS ALL .
gagirllive on September 24, 2016 at 10:45 am
Amen, youssef1777!
youssef1777 on September 24, 2016 at 10:51 am
TRUE LOVE NEVER DIE . IF WE LOVE FROM OUR HEART . PEACE AND JOY WILL REMAIN IN OUR LIFE . GOD LOVE US SO MUCH THAT HE CAME AND SAVE US .