Today we will be reading from Matthew 10: 16-22:

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues, ¹⁸ and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the gentiles. ¹⁹ When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you at that time, ²⁰ for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. ²¹ Sibling will betray sibling to death and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, ²² and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Today is a day that is dedicated to one of the martyrs of the early church, so the passage given for us to read is one from Matthew.  We see in this passage a promise from Jesus.  We will face trouble, and we will face persecution.  One of the things that we see quite often in the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels is this.  We will face troubles.  

That will happen.  We will face troubles. 

Today we see that Jesus tells us that these things will come. But when they do, don’t be afraid.  Don’t worry. Don’t doubt. For the Father will speak through you.  The Father will give you the words that you need when you face trouble of any kind. He will use you, and He will be with you.  

So, hold on.  Don’t be afraid. Cling to Jesus.  As CS Lewis said, “We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, ‘Blessed are they that mourn,’ and I accept it. I’ve got nothing that I hadn’t bargained for.”

Or as another one of my heroes, Rich Mullins, sang, 

There’s bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain’t nothing to be afraid of
There’s bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain’t no reason to fear
I know there’s bound to come some trouble to your life
But reach out to Jesus hold on tight
He’s been there before and He knows what it’s like
You’ll find He’s there

Jesus suffered.  He dealt with us. He is there for us, no matter how great the trouble.  Hold on to Him in the trouble. He will see us through. And He will use it for great, great good. 

If you’d like to receive each day’s daily scripture reading sent to your phone along with this reading guide, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up!