Today’s Reading: John 15:18-16:4; Psalm 59

STAND TALL WHILE THE CROWD IS CHEERING.

I love to hear the stories of Olympic athletes and then watch as their journey of hard work and dedication becomes the reality of a medal around their neck. I enjoy hearing the football player who intentionally chooses to give glory to God when they are pulled over to the microphone following a big win. And I especially love the moment when an athlete throws their arms in the arm, looks to the sky and has a moment of praising the God who has been with them on their journey. Athlete after athlete has used their platform to give glory to Jesus for what their body and mind were able to accomplish.

STAND TALL WHEN THE CHEERING CEASES.

In that moment, the world is cheering them on, but we also know the reality that the cheering will soon cease. Patience with those who use their big moment to glorify God runs out and many criticize the athlete, looking for holes in their faith and hoping for the moment when this follower of Christ will mess up. They quickly pull their support of the athlete, just as millions threaten to bring down Christian businesses like Chick-fil-a or Hobby Lobby.

Jesus spoke of how this world would treat his followers and how the ruler of this world would be an enemy seeking to destroy them. He mentioned this in his prayer for his disciples and spoke of it often when preparing them for what the world would do to him. Let’s look at the words recorded by John:

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” – John 15:18-19

Just like the disciples, we have been chosen to come out of the world. We do not conform to the patterns of this world; we do not allow ourselves to get swept away by an allegiance to popular culture or trends of thought. No, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and we marry ourselves to the truth found in scripture. Do not expect applause for your faith decision; do not anticipate that your life will be easy when you choose to follow Christ instead of chasing after the latest philosophies of this world. They went to great lengths to silence Jesus and the same will happen to you.

“Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me…Anyone who hates me also hates my Father.” – John 15:18-21, 23

So what do we do with this disheartening prediction of our future? What do we do with Jesus’ warning that the world will hate us as it hated Jesus?

“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning.” – John 16:1-4a

When we are treated unkindly because of our faith or made fun of for our conservative beliefs, it helps to be reminded of these words of Jesus. When mistreatment leaves us feeling discouraged or defeated, we can remember that we are not alone. When we are falsely accused, our reputation is slandered, and our words are twisted to pervert the truth, it helps to be reminded that we are not alone.

STAND TALL BECAUSE GOD IS STANDING WITH YOU.

You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies. – Psalm 59:9-10

God surrounds us on all sides because He is our fortress; He joins us in the battle because He is our hero. For that reason, we choose joy when hard times come and we praise Him for being our refuge.

But as for me, I will sing about your power.
Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge,
a place of safety when I am in distress.
O my Strength, to you I sing praises,
for you, O God, are my refuge,
the God who shows me unfailing love. – Psalm 59:16-17