God’s people were treated harshly and with intolerance in the history of the Old and the New Testament.  God’s people are being treated unfairly and with intolerance today.

False accusations, beatings, chained, imprisoned – what was experienced by men in the past is being experienced by men and women today.

(NASB) Hebrews 11:33, 36 “who by faith…” 36 “and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.”

  Some of the men who were unfairly treated in such a way were men who were teachable under God’s hand.  They were faithful in following God’s plan for them.

Joseph Genesis 39:20
He was sold by his brothers into slavery and taken to Egypt (Genesis 37:12-28).   In Egypt he was falsely accused by a woman of molesting her and he was imprisoned.  (Genesis 39:11-23)
The Lord was with Joseph in the prison (Genesis 39:21).

Joseph was teachable under God’s chosen discipline of him.

Follower of Christ, He is with you in your circumstances.  Are you learning God’s lesson(s)?

Years later, the Lord promised Joshua, “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed.”  (Deuteronomy 31:8 NASB)
Today you can rely on the same promise!

Micaiah 1 Kings 22:27; 2 Chronicles 18:3-22
Micaiah is a prophet of God who is not well-known and was imprisoned for telling God’s words of warning.  He was faithful in telling others God’s coming judgment.
God does not promise His followers a life of ease and luxury.

Jeremiah Jeremiah 20:2-6; 37:15
Jeremiah is a well-known prophet who was beaten and put in stocks because he prophesied God’s judgment.  He prophesied coming Babylonian captivity.  At another time Jeremiah was arrested under false accusations, beaten and imprisoned many days.
By faith, Jeremiah was following God’s will for him.  He was faithful to God.

Take it to heart ~

Following Jesus is to live sacrificially, denying yourself, denying your wants and pleasures.  Taking up your cross every day is letting go of whatever you desire and doing what God wants you to do.  Taking up your cross is to choose to follow Jesus.

Doing what God wants does not mean a life of ease – it does mean you are to follow the Lord Jesus wherever He leads you.

(NASB) Luke 9:23 “…‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

Wherever your will crosses God’s will for you –
there is your daily choice to surrender.