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REFLECTION
The theme for our reflection is faithful suffering. To be faithful means to be loyal and steadfast. Suffering is the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship. Faithful suffering, therefore, is the demonstration of steadfastness and loyalty to Jesus Christ in the midst of pain, distress or hardship. In our reflection, we shall discuss the following facts:
1. Faithful suffering is demonstrated during tribulations.
2. Faithful suffering comes with an eternal reward.

Firstly, Faithful suffering is seen in our ability to endure tribulations on account of our Lord Jesus Christ. John tells us that “Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” ¹⁴ I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:13-14). Jesus spoke about the nature of the great tribulation when He said “… they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. ¹⁰ And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹ And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. ¹² And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. (Matthew 24:9-12). Stephen is an example of one of the servants of God who endured faithful suffering on account of his faith in Jesus Christ. Luke tells us in Acts 7:58-60 that “they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:58-60) Again Paul wrote about his faithful suffering and tribulation when he wrote that “Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. ²⁴ Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; ²⁶ on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; ²⁷ in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27) Again, Paul demonstrated his faithful suffering when wrote to Timothy in his last days that “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:6-7). Beloved in the Lord, Jesus Himself went through suffering faithfully when He prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39) Beloved in the Lord the ultimate test of our faithfulness to God is through temptations and tribulations. Job, Joseph, Hannah, Elijah David, and John the Baptist had their faithfulness tested during times of suffering and difficulty. Are we also faithful to Christ during challenging moments of our lives? Our suffering may take the form of unfair treatment received from others because of our faithfulness to God. We may become victims of conspiracy, malignment, insults, loss of employment, or divorce just because we have decided to be faithful to Jesus Christ by not compromising our faith and loyalty to Him. We must understand that suffering faithfully is part of our sacrifice to God. In our faithful suffering, we are not alone, Jesus has promised us that “behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). It is also important to note that we are sanctified during our faithful suffering, it is for this reason John says that They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14

Secondly, faithful suffering comes with an eternal reward. Beloved in the Lord, when we are done suffering faithfully, John reveals to us in Revelation that “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. ¹⁷ For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:15-17). Jesus assured us that “the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:13) However, He admonished us that “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62) In fact we are greatly assured by Jesus that ““Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, (Matthew 5:11-12). It was with this assurance that Paul wrote to Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8). After Jesus had faithfully endured suffering on the cross to save the world, Paul tells us in Philippians 2:9-11 that “… God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11). Beloved in the Lord our faithful suffering on account of our Lord Jesus Christ shall not be in vain, it will be eternally rewarded, therefore, do not look back but endure faithfully to the end. We shall experience the eternal glory of God when we endure suffering faithfully to the end. In other words, in our faithful suffering, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:16-17)

In summary, we have deliberated on the theme, “Faithful suffering” We have leant and have been assured that Faithful suffering is demonstrated during tribulations, again, we have learnt that Faithful suffering comes with an eternal reward. May His grace continue to abide with us. Shalom.

PRAYER
1. Let us pray for the spirit of endurance even as we faithfully go through suffering on account of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Let us pray for strength and grace for our evangelists and missionaries who are being persecuted for preaching the Gospel in the world.
3. Let us pray for the Lord to graciously reward our faithful suffering.

Almighty God, in You we put our trust and hope, may You graciously strengthen and sustain us to the end so that we shall be partakers in your glory and reward for those who shall suffer faithfully in Your name.