Isaiah 66:5 Hear the word of the Lord,
    you who tremble at his word:
“Your own people who hate you,
    and exclude you because of my name, have said,
‘Let the Lord be glorified,
    that we may see your joy!’
    Yet they will be put to shame.”

God never forgets those who genuinely honor Him, those who “tremble at His word,” as it says here. The image presented in this verse is all too familiar, with people who don’t honor God ridiculing those who do. God is reassuring His people that it is those who oppose them who will ultimately be ashamed. Immediately after this verse, through verse 9, we have the specific prophecy that was fulfilled in 1948 when Israel very abruptly was reborn as a nation, after almost 1900 years without that status. And that took place immediately after the holocaust, when Hitler explicitly sought to exterminate the Jewish race! Those who don’t love God, and sadly, even many who do, have no grasp, no expectation, of all He can and will do for His people. Because His actions often don’t fit our expectations, we may not recognize them. Particularly in the case of martyrdom, we see it as unmitigated tragedy, but for the faithful martyr, it is glory beyond our words to express it! Going back to this verse, probably everyone who is devoted to the Lord has experienced ridicule, at least, from those around them. Frankly, our righteousness makes them uncomfortable, so they cover it over with attacks on us. Like the early Church, we should rejoice at the honor of being treated that way! (Acts 5:41)

My experience of this hasn’t been severe, and sometimes I wonder at my own level of commitment, that it hasn’t provoked more opposition. However, God is my judge, and I leave it in His hands. I did have a cousin attack me verbally for putting my entire inheritance into building this church building, but he shut up after I said that I could think of no better investment than the Kingdom of God. He was raised by devoted parents and was at least a nominal Christian, but the idea that someone would let their faith govern their “real world” actions like that threw him for a loop. At this point I don’t think I care what anybody thinks, so long as my Lord is pleased with me. I certainly don’t follow Him perfectly, but that is at least my desire, and He is continuing to grow me as His child.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and this encouragement. Thank You for the good service yesterday, and for the evidence of the health of this church. Thank You for the Word you gave through the sister who spoke. I had never thought of David’s response to Absalom as being analogous to Your response to us. It was beautiful, and touched many. May we continue to grow in every way that You desire and intend, so that all of Your purposes for us may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!