Have you ever felt the sting of being persecuted in your own home, community, circle of friends, or town because of your belief, your faith, your convictions? It's a terrible feeling - that rejection. So, what are we supposed to do about it? Are we supposed to turn off our inner drive? Shut our ears to what God is speaking to our souls? Mind our own business and shut up? Forsake our own peace in knowing that living out our faith might bring opposition, rejection, and persecution?
Let's look at the life of the Apostle Paul. Paul began his life as Saul of Tarsus, the son of Pharisees who sought to protect him from "contamination" from the Gentiles. He was educated in Palestine in the Jewish law, later became a lawyer and it is believed that he ultimately became a member of the Jewish Supreme Court (Sanhedrin). Saul was strong in his faith and his uncompromising zeal led him to religious extremism which in turn set him on his pursuit as a religious terrorist.
The redemption (through Christ) in Paul's story comes when he meets Jesus Christ on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus. The famous words from Jesus, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" as Saul is caught up in a bright heavenly light, are recorded in this passage from Acts 9:1-22. This meeting between the persecutor and the persecuted is the pivotal point when Saul transforms from the persecutor to the later persecuted Apostle Paul. Through prayer, Saul received the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17), regained his sight and was baptized (v. 18) and immediately proceeded to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God (v. 20). Eventually this ministry made him a prisoner.
This is where our verse of thanks comes in... Paul, is a prisoner on a ship with 276 others on the way to Rome. The journey was treacherous as they encountered a storm, were weeks without eating and were about to face shipwreck. Paul urges the men to eat for strength to face their pending struggle and promises them survival.
"After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat." Acts 27:35
Please make note of the devout confession of the living God in the presence of unbelieving men. It makes me think of King David's words from his 23rd Psalm. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." (v.5)
Matthew Henry's commentary sheds heavenly light on this passage of hope in dark and desperate circumstances:
God, who appointed the end, that they should be saved, appointed the means, that they should be saved by the help of these shipmen. Duty is ours, events are God's; we do not trust God, but tempt him, when we say we put ourselves under his protection, if we do not use proper means, such as are within our power, for our safety. But how selfish are men in general, often even ready to seek their own safety by the destruction of others! Happy those who have such a one as Paul in their company, who not only had an intimate connection with Heaven, but was of an enlivening spirit to those about him. The sorrow of the world works death, while joy in God is life and peace in the greatest distresses and dangers. The comfort of God's promises can only be ours by believing dependence on him, to fulfil his word to us; and the salvation he reveals must be waited for in use of the means he appoints. If God has chosen us to salvation, he has also appointed that we shall obtain it by repentance, faith, prayer, and persevering obedience; it is fatal presumption to expect it in any other way. It is an encouragement to people to commit themselves to Christ as their Savior, when those who invite them, clearly show that they do so themselves.
Paul took the risk many times over in his ministry as he did in this moment in the 'presence of enemies,' while facing the terror of shipwreck, and proclaimed God as Father and Jesus as the True Son of God. Paul gave thanks to God knowing full well that persecution was part of the package. Jesus did the same for us and for all who are willing to take the risk and put their faith in Him as their Savior.
"He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:22-24
Are you willing to take the risk and stand on your faith in Christ eventhough you may have to face ridicule and rejection? It's a tough call, isn't it? The flesh is weak, but praise be to God that we don't have to rely on our flesh. If you've received Christ as your Savior, He lives in you and by grace He is your strength when your flesh is weak.
In Paul's letter to the Corinthians he states God's message to him in his pleading to remove the thorn from his flesh:
"But he said to me, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b
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