BLESSED ARE . . .

In 1948, Harlan Popov, the pastor of an underground church in Bulgaria, was taken from his home for a “little questioning”. He suffered around-the-clock interrogation and no food for ten days. Each time he denied being a spy, he was beaten. But Popov not only survived this torture, but also helped some of the other prisoners put their trust in Jesus. Finally, eleven years later, he was
released and continued to share his love of Jesus. Two years after that he was able to leave the country and be reunited with his family. He spent the following years preaching and raising money to smuggle Bibles into countries which had made Christianity illegal.

Like countless Christians throughout the ages, Popov was persecuted because he refused to give up his Christian faith. Jesus, long before His own torture and death, said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (MATTHEW 5:9). He continued, “Blessed are you when people . . . persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil
against you because of me” (V.10).

“Blessed”? What could Jesus have meant? He was talking about the wholeness, peace and comfort that we have in our relationship with Him—no matter how people might attack us (VV.4,8-10). Popov kept going because He was strengthened by his relationship with God, even in suffering.

Today, we know two things to be true: as Christians we will be attacked and made fun of (2 TIMOTHY 3:12); and as God’s children He will provide the strength we need to keep going (ROMANS 8:37).

What I’m thankful for . . .

Loving Father, we thank You for never leaving or giving up on us in our most

difficult times.

PERSECUTION WILL COME; BUT WE WILL NEVER HAVE TO FACE IT ALONE.

YouTh Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries