Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. — Psalm 119:143

This verse is hard for me to understand because I know how lucky I am. Right now, I don’t feel like I can talk about trouble or stress. But I know that this is true in many parts of the world for Christians who are being persecuted or even killed because they are Christians. But their love for God and their desire to obey are stronger than Satan’s threats, because doing what God wants is what makes them happy.

 

Thought

This verse is hard for me to understand because I know how lucky I am. Right now, I don’t feel like I can talk about trouble or stress. But I know that this is true in many parts of the world for Christians who are being persecuted or even killed because they are Christians. But their love for God and their desire to obey are stronger than Satan’s threats, because doing what God wants is what makes them happy.

 

Prayer

Majestic and holy God, I beseech you to bless and release your persecuted church. But, Father, if bodily deliverance is not on the way, please pray for my brothers and sisters and me, that we may be declared loyal in death before succumbing to compromise in life. Please deepen our faith: we believe, but we need your aid to believe. Allow your Spirit to empower us to be obedient, and forgive us when we fall. Most importantly, transport us without blemish into your lovely presence. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.