In Your Weakness, He is Strong

 

As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

—Acts 9:3-4

 

Have you ever considered Saul's heavenly encounter with the Lord and the words spoken to Saul? Saul had persecuted and killed Christians, but on the road to Damascus, the Lord didn’t ask Saul why he was persecuting His people. He asked Saul, “Why are you persecuting me?” 

 

Jesus’ statement to Saul on the road to Damascus reveals that He takes the persecution of His children personally. When we are being persecuted for Jesus’ sake, it is Jesus who is actually being persecuted. 

 

When you are enduring persecution, it can be easy to think God doesn’t care—that He has forsaken you. Well, that is the way the enemy tries to make you think. But it is not true. Your persecution is His persecution. He is with you, walking through that fire. If you will remember this, it will keep you from being discouraged when persecution comes. 

 

Persecution comes when you are living for Jesus because Christianity is the exact opposite of the world’s system. The world is consumed with self, and Jesus teaches us to be selfless. While the world finds ways to inflict hurt, we are supposed to turn the other cheek. While the world hates us, Jesus teaches us to love. The world is full of self-promotion. It tells us to win. Jesus says when we lose, we win. The world tells us to live for ourselves. And Jesus says when we die to self, we live. Living a selfless life is in direct conflict with the world. A Christian will not suffer persecution if he is heading in the same direction as the world. When we live for Jesus, we run into the enemy.

 

Christ still suffers persecution when His people are persecuted. When you are persecuted for His sake, Jesus suffers with you. 

 

Saul was radically changed by the Gospel of unconditional love and grace that had so offended him. Saul became Paul. The man who had persecuted Christians became himself unbelievably persecuted for the sake of the Gospel. Satan sent a messenger to batter him again and again. His persecution came from those offended by its message and even those within his own ranks. But Paul never allowed persecution to keep him from fulfilling his divine purpose and sharing God’s revelation of His unconditional love and grace.

 

Don’t let people’s opinions, harassment, and the problems they create keep you from pursuing your purpose in Jesus. If you encounter persecution, it is a sure sign that the devil is worried about your fruit, gifts, potential, and God’s revelation. Push on toward your God-given purpose regardless of anything that tries to keep His unconditional love and grace from reaching its potential in your life and the lives of others.

 

The world doesn’t love the message that God loved them enough to die for them. They can’t see, hear, or understand it. Their eyes are veiled, and their hearing is closed lest they should listen and be healed. But they have the potential to see, hear, and understand. His love unveiled through your life is your purpose. 

Keep your eyes on Jesus no matter the storm. You will not sink if He is your focus. You will succeed if He is your strength. His grace is sufficient for you. Jesus takes your persecution so you can take what the enemy buffets you with, trying to impede God’s message of a new life in Him healed of sin and its destruction. But the enemy can’t overcome the love of Jesus. The world can’t overcome it. Whether the world knows it or not, God's passionate love for mankind has paid the complete price. Knowing Jesus' love changes everything in a person's life. 

 

In your weakness, Jesus is strong. He takes what you can’t handle. Step out in faith, and live without shame or regret. Your faith in Jesus overcomes the world. 

 

 

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