March 19, 2023
Daily Devotion:
“Persecution Directs Us to
Our Reward”
2 Corinthians 4:8–9
We are pressed on every side
by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to
despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down,
but we are not destroyed.
In yesterday's post, we were
introduced to four common struggles all servants of God deal with. Really,
they're consequences. In 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 we read them: afflicted,
perplexed, persecuted, struck down.
The first word, translated
"afflicted," comes from a Greek term that suggests the idea of
pressure. This is stress brought on by difficult circumstances or by
antagonistic people. In other words, when servants are "afflicted,"
they feel under pressure, harassed, and oppressed. The Greek verb, thlibo, is a
strong one, meaning at times "to treat with hostility."
Paul goes on to write there
are times when servants of God become "perplexed." Interestingly, the
combination of Greek terms that comprise the original word means "without
a way." It is a picture of confusion—not knowing where or to whom to turn
for help. Included in the meaning of this word would be such perplexing
predicaments as being without necessary resources, feeling embarrassed, and in
doubt so far as procedure is concerned. We have the phrase "at a
loss" which adequately describes that uncertain feeling. There is more.
Originally, the term
persecution meant "to run after, pursue." It's the idea of being
chased, having others "on our case," we would say. It is an active,
aggressive word conveying everything from being intimidated to being assaulted,
actually attacked. Servants will suffer persecution. You may recall Paul's
words, written to Timothy: "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ
Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). Persecution is one of those
painful consequences, along with affliction and confusion.
