“he … ran for his life” (1 Kings 19:3)
In these words we find the reality of Elijah – yes that mighty man of God, and who had just come from a glorious victory and vindication – struggling with fear in the face of persecution.
In this he is not alone; in fact it is faced by many believers around the world. As we are reminded in the current issue of Barnabas Aid:
When someone becomes a Christian from a Western background today, she may encounter a fair bit of hostility from other people. As she draws back from some of her former activities and tries to live in a way that pleases God, her family and friends may criticise and mock her; a few may even want nothing more to do with her. By reacting in this way they may hope to pressure her into abandoning her new faith.
This pressure can be very unpleasant and upsetting, but someone who converts from Islam usually suffers much more serious persecution. Having left behind his Islamic beliefs and practices he not only has to put up with criticism and mockery; he is also seen as a harmful influence within his family and community. He may well have to face threats, vandalism and violence, and in some places he will live in fear of his life. One purpose of this ill-treatment is to push him into giving up Christianity and returning to Islam.
In the face of such suffering new Christians can start to question the value of their faith. Is it really worth accepting persecution for Christianity, or would they do better to discard it, or at least to compromise with other people’s expectations of them?
Let us be renewed in prayer for those being persecuted today around the world, and especially for those overcome by fear because of their loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pray that God might fill them day by day with peace, joy and hope; give them a special awareness of His loving presence at all times; strengthen them to endure hardship; give them words to say to those who despise and reject them; fill them with His love for those who ill-treat them and give them the grace to forgive and pray for their persecutors.
Pray also for ourselves, that we may remember that we and they are members of one Body; to value the freedom He has blessed us with and guide us to use that freedom more wisely to God’s glory.
“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” (Hebrews 13:3)