At times all who are abused and persecuted for their faith and life in Christ must wonder if it will be worth it all in the end. Are you there? Then I point you to this wonderful promise.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10)

If this is the first time you are discovering this it will seem the reverse of normal to you. Some of us have heard it so often that we're almost asleep when we hear this. We probably haven't suffered much persecution in that case.

This blessing doesn't apply to all who are picked on, harassed, teased, or attacked for just any reason. It applies to those who, for the sake of their righteous faith and deeds are picked on, harassed, tormented, imprisoned, beaten bloody, denied food and water, hung by their thumbs, or many things worse, and even killed.

These are the ones who can be happy and cheerful, assured of God's goodness towards them, and confident of going to Heaven. The stories of the martyrs confirm that it was so for them. How positive and unflinching they were at their torturous deaths.

Many times we read that even those assigned to be their executioners, were so affected that they converted on the spot to faith in Christ. This blessing Jesus pronounced on those who suffer for His name's sake does come to pass. They already know God promise is true - that it will be worth it all.

As a child I used to worry that when facing a firing squad I might recant. Then I read in a children's feature from Back to the Bible, that God just gives us grace for today. When the day comes that we really must die for Christ, we'll receive the grace to do so. I haven't been troubled with that thought since.

So live out your faith boldly and unashamedly. Have no cringing thoughts about what people might do to you for walking with the Lord; Jesus promises here that you will be blessed and have the kingdom of Heaven, and great will be your reward there. Count on it; it will be worth it all when you stand before God in Heaven!