18.10.2020

Psalm 91:10 promises, “No harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your home …..” Why do some Christians still experience hardship, suffering and persecution?

Bible passages: 
Isaiah 59:1-2, 1Corinthian 10:13

Discussion 1:
According to the dictionary, hardship is a severe suffering or privation - a state in which food and other essentials for well-being are lacking.
Christian might go through persecution, trials or challenges but they do not go through hardship.
Jesus Christ mentioned that Christian might go through troubles but we will overcome. John 16:33
“I told you these things, so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.”
Even if we go through trials as a Christian we should be rest assured that God will always be there to see us through and we will overcome it.
1Corinthian 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Persecution or trial takes Christian to the next level in their faith and Christians that are not being tempted or persecuted should check themselves. Jesus Christ was tempted but the devil did not overcome Him. Temptation is a test that Christian might go through in life but will always come out victoriously.

Discussion 2:
True believer cannot suffer but could go through challenges. The bible says Christians will be persecuted because of Him.
Matthew 24:9 stated that then people will arrest you, hand you over to be hurt and kill you. They will hate you because you believe in me.  The verse showed that Jesus Christ predicted that Christians will be persecuted even unto death. Everything that God created is good. Whatever Christians go through; it is for God’s glory. God may allow difficult times or challenges to His children, many will hate Christians for whom they are because the world hate us. There is no way that Christians will go through their journey without trials. We are in the world but not part of the world.
Psalm 34:19 says many are the afflictions of the righteous but God delivers them from it all.
When Christians goes through trials or suffering it brings closeness to God. Story of Job in the bible gave an idea of the scene in the spiritual realm. Persecution is part of what Christians encounters.
Act 14:22…..”we must suffer many things to enter God’s kingdom”
Furthermore, in the beginning of creation; God has a different version of how He wants man to live. But disobedience of Adam and Eve brought hardship.
Act 20:19 Paul said I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.
Matthew 16:25 “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it”.
Trials is not a permanent situation. Matthew 24:13 says .. but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

In addition to the discussion above it is mentioned that poverty could be part of suffering in Christian life. Some Christians in the Northern part of Nigeria and other part of the world are being persecuted because of their faith.

God will help us all, in Jesus Name 🙏🏽.

Praise God🙏🏽