Your Daily Devotional for May 30, 2006

May 30, 2006 

 

Surrounded By Critics
by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”

 

1 Peter 4:12-14

 

We all have bad days. Many times, our bad days can be contributed to someone saying something hurtful about us or to us. The truth is, anything going forward for God will meet some friction along the way.

 

Several years ago, a Supreme Court justice said, “Devout Christians are destined to be regarded as fools in modern society.” That’s how Paul the Apostle was often viewed in his society. Like the Apostle Paul, if someone intends to live the teachings of the Bible, his life will be viewed as “strange” because a devout Christian is not walking according to the “drum” of this world. Paul was a man walking according to the dictate of Jesus Christ, and not to the drum of the modern Roman society in which he lived.

 

In Acts 24 and 25, Paul is sent to Caesarea, and he is imprisoned because of false allegations against him. Paul was imprisoned for two years because of these allegations, and his accusers were plotting to kill him! This wasn’t just a bad day! The fact is, we live in a tough day to measure up. Sometimes you’ll be doing your best, doing what you can for the Lord, but there will come times where people will question and criticize your motives and your ministry.

 

In our passage today, Peter is writing to saints in Asia Minor who were under persecution. He says, “Beloved, think it not strange…” Sometimes we think, “Why is this happening?” But God’s perspective is that it’s not a “strange” thing, and it shouldn’t be unexpected when someone doesn’t appreciate the Gospel tract, the message you give, or the life you live. It’s not a strange thing because for centuries, Christians have suffered for their faith!

 

An elderly pastor was approached by some men in his church one Sunday. The men came to him and said, “Pastor, something is wrong with your preaching and your work. There has only been one person added to the church in the last several months, and he’s just a little boy.” As the minister listened, his eyes began to fill with tears, and he replied, “I feel what you’re saying, but God knows I’ve tried to do my duty.”

 

That night, after preaching the Gospel, he felt a strong indication from the church that he should resign. After deciding not to resign, the folks left the church, and a little boy approached him. It was the little boy that had been recently added to the church. He said to the preacher, “Do you think if I work hard for my education and if I really learn the Bible that, perhaps some day, I could be a preacher or a missionary?” The minister’s eyes welled up with tears once again as he embraced the young boy.

 

Many years later, this little boy, Robert Moffat, returned to that church in London as an aged missionary. He had been serving in Africa, and had been used to bring thousands to the Saviour.

 

I have learned in my life that, even when it seems like things aren’t going right and the devil says you’re a failure and you’re not getting anything done, when we’re faithful to the Word of God, He is working, even when we didn’t know he was working at the time!

 

Do you find yourself surrounded by critics at times? Do you find yourself sometimes questioning if living for the Lord is really worth it? I just want to encourage you that, someday, when you stand before the Lord and you hear those words, “well done thou good and faithful servant,” you’ll be so thankful that you didn’t give up when it seemed like you were surrounded by people who had nothing good to say!

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