Sharing the Burdens of the Persecuted

This is a season in history unlike any that has gone before. And yet there are elements of today's political and international scenes that are as old as man. Ever since the Fall, Satan has sought to undermine the work of God's anointed - both His anointed One, the Messiah Jesus, and those who seek to follow in the Lord's footsteps and serve Him.

The psalmist here recognises that the opposition they were experiencing was, ultimately, aimed at the God they served - a mocking spirit that had no respect for the living God. It is the same today, the fear of God has departed the nations and the enemy is mocking and opposing those who choose to respect the Word of God and live their lives accordingly.

Right now believers in Russia are suffering a new round of persecution and there are 53 other nations in which persecution of Christians is now a regular occurrence. Jesus warned the disciples that those who follow Him will experience the same things that He suffered.

And as believers, when we hear news of what is happening to our brethren overseas, we bear in our hearts the insults of all the many nations. We stand with them in bearing the insults together. And that also means we should never cease to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith, just as the psalmist is doing in today's Scripture.

Prayer: Lord, we ask You to remember today all of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering the insults of the enemy through persecution. May they remain faithful under pressure, be encouraged and strengthened through the prayers of the saints around the world. In Jesus's Name. Amen.