At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts 8:1 NKJV
Dismayed that their neighbors had turned away from centuries of religious tradition, many in Jerusalem rose up to persecute Jesus’ followers to the point that the Christians fled the city. While it was terrible at the time, in the end the Christians could echo Joseph’s words, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20 NKJV). Because the Christians took the Gospel wherever they went, their persecutors’ attacks backfired spectacularly!
Jesus warned that Christians will experience suffering, especially persecution (see Matthew 5:10, John 16:33). But God’s Word also promises that whatever happens, your story fits perfectly into His plans (see John 9:1–3; Romans 8:28). Nothing is wasted, not your victories and hard work, your sins or pain or attacks from others. He fashions every part of your life for your good and His glory. Whatever you endure now, God will not waste it.
Will you open your pain to God, trusting that He will use it beautifully as a conduit for His glory? Rest in and be empowered by His promise of working all things together “for good” (Romans 8:28), knowing that “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23 NKJV).
Father, thank You for being the Author of my story and that You are in charge of it all!
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Today’s reading was adapted from Daily Wisdom for Women: 2018 Devotional Collection with permission from Barbour Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading was written by Karin Dahl Silver.