This is the text that the Lord turned my eyes to this morning.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12 NIV)

Recently, I had someone close to me say some very unkind things to me about my work ethic because I don’t get paid for ministry. Evidently, in the person’s eyes, I could only be a real prophet if I were being paid a salary. Yet, I don’t see any mention in the Scriptures of the prophets before me being paid a salary.

Normally, when someone is unkind to me, I expect the Lord to bring His own vengeance on the person as He judges necessary. But the person that did it this time is someone that I greatly love and want only the best for. So, I asked God to please just talk with the person and make him understand the importance of my work for the Kingdom. But I am concerned that the Lord will feel a need to make the lesson stick if His words are not readily received and if there isn’t sincere repentance from the individual.

Truly, I expect persecution from those who do not love me. I’ve seen way too much of it since the day I first started hearing God’s voice in prayer. Joseph’s own brothers threw him into a pit for dead and then sold him into slavery. I know the scenario all too well.

“Do not touch my anointed ones;
do my prophets no harm.” (Psalm 105:15 NIV)