The Humility of the Persecuted

This morning during my devotional time I read 1Peter 5:5 which says, "Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,    "God opposes the proud       but gives grace to the humble." This is an amazing scripture especially when thinking about our persecuted brethren.  The last few years, as I have been writing this blog, one thing that constantly amazes me is the humility of those who  have been persecuted.  In fact, I'd say that the persecuted church all over the world is a stellar example to us Western Christians of what true humility is like.

In America humility is extremely lacking and that is not meant as a criticism, but as an observation.  We in the West live in luxury and by the rest of the world's standards are extremely rich - and it's hard for the rich to be humble because we are proud of being "self made millionaires" - that attitude is prevalent.

But as I've thought about some of those I've written and read about on this blog, humility is definitely their trademark. Women being sentenced to jail in Indonesia for teaching children the gospel, even though they are educated, rely humbly on God for His will to be done.  As a result many are being led to Christ while they minister in jail.  God has given them His grace.

A young woman who had her neck severely severed in an attempted beheading is another example of God's grace.  She still needs our prayers and her humility before the world as a survivor of such evil is amazing.

Women and men in the Sudan living moment by moment in total dependence on God and relying on His grace in the Sudan and other parts of the world.  Living in a humble state and yet sustained by God's grace.

What I have noticed is that grace and humility go together.  God is opposed to the proud, but He does give grace to the humble.  This is the lesson I'm thinking about today as I remember my brethren in prayer today.  And I especially want to thank you for praying for them as well.  To know a persecuted Christian is like being nearer to the throne room of Grace.  I want to be closer there every day.  I hope you do too.