dealing with persecution

The believer that “sells out” to Christ and lives an uncompromising life will be harassed and persecuted.  This is the price you pay for putting your faith in the Holy One.  Don’t ever get discouraged, the rewards of faithfulness far outweigh the affects of persecution.  Consider the Apostle Paul, the Lord called him up to heaven and gave him revelations the church desperately needed.  When he began to preach those revelations, the devil manifested as a thorn in his flesh.  The devil used Paul’s own countrymen to attempt to stop him and even kill him.  The Jews beat him five times with thirty nine stripes on his back using a cat o nine tails.  They didn’t give a man forty stripes because it might kill him, they were so considerate.  One day they stoned him to death, but his friends prayed for him and he got up and continued to share those revelations.  He asked the Lord three times to get the devil off his back, instead the Lord supplied him with His grace.
 
 2 Corinthians 12:9 Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul was empowered to endure every assault of satan.  The devil took his best shots but could not stop Paul.  Now we know God is not a respector of persons, so what He did for Paul He most assuredly will do for all of those who put their trust in Him.

2 Timothy 3:12 All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
 
Paul was trying to find a way around the devil, but God wanted him to go through him.  The only way to skirt around the devil is to compromise your faith, some have chosen this way.  The devil set out a few snares and believers retreated, leaving their rewards on the table.  Christianity is difficult when you live it in your own strength.  When you surrender to the grace of God He will empower you to succeed in every battle.  Do not think for one minute that the devil is going to just step aside and let you walk with your Lord unhindered.  
 
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange things happen to you.
 
Peter is exhorting us to watch and prepare for a visitation of evil, do not think you will be over looked.  The only people the devil doesn't target are those who pose no threat to him!  If you cower back and will not promote or testify of Jesus, the devil won’t waste his time on you.  None of us will have to endure what Paul endured, but rest assured the devil has some naughty plans to derail us.
 
Isaiah 59:19 When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Spirit of God shall put him to flight.
 
I don’t expect the devil to succeed, I expect God to put me over no matter what the devil tries.  Greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world.
 

---