"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and
shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my
name's sake" (Matthew 24:9).

All too often in these days of "easy believism" and
the erroneous "peace and prosperity" teaching, we hear
someone say, "Once you become a Christian, all your
problems will be over." It is doubtful that anyone really believes
such a statement, much less experiences it. Certainly the
Israelites who had just been miraculously delivered from
bondage didn't experience it.

Of course, this concept is not Biblical. In fact, the
Bible teaches quite the opposite. Christ promised, "Ye shall
be hated of all men for my name's sake" (Matthew
10:22). He, Himself, would have many problems. "If the
world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated
you" (John 15:18). Later, after experiencing many
problems, John wrote, "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world
hate you" (I John 3:13).

These problems may take the form of general
troubles which come from living in a sinful, cursed world;
specific afflictions, which God allows in our lives to bring
about His purpose; or discipline for personal sin, as well as
direct persecution from without.

While troubles will come, all is not lost! Christ
promised, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me
ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have
tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world"
(John 16:33). Through Him we have the strength to meet
every difficulty of this life with peace, good cheer, and
victory. Through Him we also receive the promise that
throughout eternity "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,
nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the
former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4). JDM