THE GODLY WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION (II Timothy 3:12)
THE GODLY WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION (II Timothy 3:12)
Yet he sent prophets among them to bring them back to the LORD. These testified against them, but they would not pay attention. Then the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, and he stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God, ‘Why do you break the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.’” But they conspired against him, and by command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the LORD. Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, had shown him, but killed his son. And when he was dying, he said, “May the LORD see and avenge! —II Chronicles 24:19-22
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. —John 16:33
The people would not listen to the messengers that God sent to them. They just would not pay attention. “Then the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, and he stood above the people, and said to them, Thus says God, ‘Why do you break the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.’” When a people or nation forsake the Lord, then He will forsake them and leave them to their own devices. That will not end well. We can see this happening in our nation today.
Zechariah came with a message from our Lord God Almighty, Creator and heaven and earth, of all we see and don’t see. What did they do to His messenger? They conspired against him, but it was at the king’s command that he was stoned to death. Beware of those that oppose our Lord. They also oppose His people. Beware also of those government leaders that oppose our Lord. They also oppose His people. Watch out especially for those who have a cloak of “religion” and yet inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Beware!
Jesus said, “that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Tribulation comes in many forms. For Zechariah, his tribulation ended in death. Our Lord is very aware of what happens in our lives and as Zechariah died, he said, “May the Lord see this and call you to account.” And surely this was not missed by our Lord as Jesus said, “And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar” (Matthew 23:35). Truly our Lord has said, ““It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people” (Deuteronomy 32:35; Hebrews 10:30; Romans 12:19).
Nobody is getting away with anything because “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). So, whatever we go through, God knows and if things need to be avenged, He will do it. We are not to take it into our own hands.
Thank You, Dear Father, that You know everything about everyone and You will set the record straight in due time. Until then, may I seek to live faithfully for You by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. Yes, may this be the case that I would hear from You— “Well done, good and faithful servant.” May it be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1BMJXt6QC8