What will I do if everyone hates me?

Joshua 2; Psalms 123–125; Isaiah 62; Matthew 10

Sometimes I feel as if God set me up. Last night my mind was on the current persecution of Christians and wondering how I would honor the Lord if that happened to me. Today’s newspaper had several stories describing the trend of hatred against God’s people even during protests over mistreatment of others. I came to my Bible with some tension in my heart.

The first thing I read was the story of Rahab hiding the Israelites who came into the land God promised them. They intended to check out the opposition. She said to these men:

“I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction . . . .” (Joshua 2:9–10)

God was in charge. He made sure that the opposition knew He protected His people; their enemies were terrified of them. His power has not diminished. If that is His will, He can do the same for His people today as we tell our stories of deliverance and victory over sin.

Next, three Psalms describe the way I’m feeling, both needy for God’s help in these days of opposition toward Christians and how we are feeling about it, particularly when we are singled out as a group that it is okay to condemn. They will riot because other minority groups are mistreated, yet Christians are blamed for that mistreatment rather than recognized for the good that God is doing in our lives. The psalmist expressed exactly how I feel:

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud. (Psalm 123:2–4)

Space limits putting all of Isaiah 62 here, yet this link shows how all twelve verses promise the triumph of God’s people. God is encouraging me. I know we have a part to play in this though. For one thing, we must not hide our faith but boldly share it.

Then I read Matthew 10 and almost wept at the amazing description Jesus gave His describes telling them how live during the persecution they will face. All of this is how I must APPLY it to my life:

10:1-15. Rely on the authority God gives and follow His directions. He will be specific. “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction . . . . These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans . . . .”

10:16-24. Jesus says persecution will come, but His people must bear witness to Him and when those who oppose us deliver us to authorities, we are “not to be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” He will be with me and enable me.

He also says some of that persecution may come from family, but even if everyone hates me because I belong to Jesus, I’m to endure and remember that “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.” Persecution puts me in good company!

10:26-42. Jesus tells me not to be afraid. Instead, what He tells me in private, I’m to proclaim it in public. Never deny Him. He values me; therefore I value Him — even above life itself. He knew that people would be at odds over Him so I should not be surprised at opposition. Instead, follow Him no matter what — and in the end, I will be rewarded.

Jesus, You surprise and humble me. You knew what I was thinking and always know what to say to me. Mercy please — for I am without power and boldness, but I can trust You and Your promises. The future may be black yet You always give light in the darkest places and grace to obey You even when I cannot see anything.