Where Are They?

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

Where are they? Those being persecuted, where are they enduring their various forms of suffering? They’re in China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Columbia, India, Iran, Cuba, Indonesia, Egypt, Russia, Laos, Bangladesh, North Korea, Afghanistan,…The list goes on and it’s long. Too long.

Where are they? Whatever you and I have included in our plans for today, whatever dreams we may be dreaming, or worries we may be worrying, persecuted believers are somewhere suffering their afflictions. Some of their miseries are more than we can allow ourselves to think about. I’m thankful for Voice of the Martyrs, which has been serving the persecuted church for many years, bringing the “somewhere” closer to us, and giving us the opportunity to help as our circumstances allow.

It’s not pleasant to see their bloody, tear stained faces, but we cannot and must not turn away. So I’ve decided that I’ll join other bloggers who are writing occasional posts devoted to this worthy cause. Primarily, I’ll be writing about this at my business blog, but sometimes I hope to write something here too.

I don’t ever remember writing an acrostic before, but thought I’d try my hand at this one. It’s my way of reminding all of us of what is true about these persecuted believers, even while they are suffering:

P recious in God’s sight
E ternal life is theirs
R edeemed by the blood of Christ
S anctified—set apart unto God
E nduring affliction for His sake
C ross-bearers – eventual crown wearers
U nion with Christ
T heirs is the kingdom of heaven
E lected before the foundation of the world
D elivered from the penalty of sin

Hallelujah! Go to the VOM blog to read about specific situations, and please remember to pray. And remember, God knows where they are.