"Troubles on every side"

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Are there times when you feel as if you try so hard to live righteously before God and men, and all it does is get you in trouble? Times when it feels like God isn't listening and everything is crumbling beneath you? I especially question my faith when I see wicked people get ahead by doing wicked acts. Liars and cheaters seem to make it to the top. Sometimes they get caught, sometimes they don't. I'm even persecuted at times for following after righteousness and following the teachings of Christ. I'm made fun of by the ones getting to the top when I refuse to join in and lie and cheat and follow their nasty ways. Sometimes I cry out to God, "Hear my cry oh God, attend unto my prayer." I ask Him if he hates me and if I've been cut off when it seems that everything is going wrong. Then, the Holy Spirit of God reminds me of people like Joseph, Daniel and our Lord Jesus (Yashua) Christ, Himself.

Think of Joseph. His life went from bad to worse. First his jealous brothers sold him into slavery (although most of them wanted to outright kill him). Then, although he had made his master's home to prosper, the master's wife lied about him and said he tried to rape her. Joseph is then thrown into a prison. How would you feel if all this happened to you? Joseph was only trying to do what was right; he was rewarded with cruelty and unfaithfulness. I wonder if Joseph ever felt like God had deserted him? But, God had a plan for Joseph. For approximately 13 years, Joseph spent his life in slavery and in prison. A guy's faith could really be tested through such horendous circumstances. But in the end, God made Joseph a ruler over the land of Egypt. With all the power God had given him, Joseph could have had his brothers killed, or stuck in prison like he had to endure. Instead, he forgave them, blessed their lives and delivered them from famine. He realized that God had a plan the whole time.

"In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

What about Daniel? His country was invaded when he was a boy. He was torn from his family and kept at a heathen King's palace. Do you realize that Daniel was probably castrated? He and his friends were kept by the "master of the eunuchs." It was a common practice to castrate the boys taken prisoners of war in those days. It wasn't done in a sanitary hospital with our advanced anesthetical practices of today. If that happened to you, would you begin to wonder if God had forsaken you? In spite of their conditions, Daniel and his friends purposed in their hearts they were not going to live according to the heathen customs of the Babylonians. When we read Daniel, it seems that one miracle after another ensued. But, many years passed between some of the miracles. The book starts when Daniel was a boy and ends with him as an eldery man. He lived through the lives of at least four kings and two kingdoms. Probably more than anything, he wanted to return to his home in Judah. But as far as we know, it never happened. God had another plan and He was able to show forth His mighty pressence to the Babylonians and Medes through his loyal servant, Daniel. Also, note that Daniel was faithful to the Kings he served although he would not bend his knees to their customs. He managed always to be faithful to God first and trust Him, yet he was faithful to the heathen kings whom he served. What a balance. Daniel also did not point a finger at others to blame for his terrible conditions in Babylon. In the ninth chapter of Daniel, when praying to God, Daniel accepted the blame with the rest of his people. He prayed using the pronouns "we" and "us." (Notice how he follows the structure of the Lord's prayer, not praying individually for himself, but for all the people of God.) When it seems that nothing is going right in your life and you're persectued for living rightously, think of Daniel and Joseph.

Most of all, think of our Lord Jesus (Yashua) Christ. Jesus did nothing but good for people. He healed their bodies, he performed miracles, he offered them eternal life in a kingdom where there will be no more tears. What did he get in return? He was murdered by his own people. But in the end, Joseph, Daniel, Jesus (and countless others) triumphed. Even if you never see a victory in this life, know that you will be rewarded by God, Himself, in His Kingdom.

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matthew 5:11, 12

"Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets." Luke 6:26

If you're a Christian and not being persecuted, then I'd worry.

Rejoice if you join the ranks of God's elect. You will suffer persecution in this world, but rejoice because our Lord Jesus Christ has overcome the world! We can too through our Lord Jesus Christ!

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