Have you ever wondered how persecuted Christians around the world maintain their joy and trust in Jesus Christ in the midst of great challenges. When we realize what they experience in order to continue their relationship and fellowship with Jesus, it puts certain things in our lives in perspective. This week I heard about a house-church in Malaysia that had three members for nine years. The Malaysian government does not permit native Malays to attend church, or purchase Bibles. Any other people group can openly attend services, but churches risk getting into trouble if they allow Malays to attend their services.
What stood out about this church were their perseverance, patience and dedication to Christ for nine years. I wondered if I would continue going to a church with three members for nine years. Since they could not attend church anywhere else, these precious believers exercised patience and believed God in the midst of their hardship. What they did moved and encouraged me to remember other persecuted believers who we might never hear about, but are faithfully maintaining their Christian witness and taking a stand for Jesus Christ. As you pray for persecuted believers this week, ask God to encourage and give them wisdom, boldness and protection as they face many different challenges
