A Force for Peace

Daily Reading: Acts 18

Scripture Focus: ... because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. (Acts 18.2)

Devotional Thought: In 2014, Christians and Yazidis were driven into the Iraqi mountains by ISIS.  In other Iraqi cities seized by ISIS, Christians were given four choices: convert to the Muslim faith, flee from the country, pay a special tax, or suffer martyrdom.  The world was outraged, but this was not new.

Almost shocking in its matter-of-fact tone, Acts 18.2 declares that “Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome." Their religious faith had cost them their homes, their jobs, their safety, and sometimes their lives. This wide-spread persecution is only briefly mentioned, and then in passing.  Can you imagine the reaction today?

Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world today.  Currently, as estimated by Open Doors, over 100 million Christians face persecution, particularly in parts of the Muslim world, in North Korea and at the hands of other extremists.  While much of the persecution is driven by other factors, including ethnic and economic, the fact still remains that Christians are suffering for their faith.

What can we do?  First, we should pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters. Then, we should be aware of their plight and make our voice heard as a call for justice.  We should also refuse to be intolerant and suspicious of those whose faith is different from our own.  Even when it comes to reacting to pagan and atheistic beliefs and behaviors, we should always act in love and respect.  We will either add to the climate of persecution or take away from it.  I want my presence to be a force for peace!

Prayer: Lord, your Word describes the persecuted faithful as those "of whom the world was not worthy."  Thank you for your faithful martyrs, O Lord.  Give them grace, wherever they are, to stand firm in the fiery trial.  May their lives and suffering bring their persecutors to you.  And may your Church, O Lord, stand with those of all faiths - or of no faith - who are suffering persecution.  In the name of Jesus, who suffered death that we might have life.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 72.8-16

8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!

9 May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust!

10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!

11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!

12 For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.

13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.

14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.

15 Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day!

16 May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field!