Rejoice and be Glad

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:12 NIV)

Paul says in Philippians 4:4 that we are to always rejoice.  Rejoice when things are going well.  Rejoice when things are not going well.  Rejoice in the difficult times knowing that your character is being perfected.  Rejoice that you have Jesus to grab hold of during the difficult times.  Jesus said the prophets were persecuted and we can expect persecution.  Remember the story of Elijah who was pursued by Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 18:7-10; 19:2)?  God provided a safe place for Elijah.  He sent ravens to feed him.  When the time was right he brought Elijah for a great showdown with the false prophets.  God was with Elijah and He is with you.  Rejoice today know that God is with you.

–Diane