Sunday Devotions: In the Land of Persecution - Not!

Today's lectionary verse: Psalm 123:3 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.

One thing that I have noticed about some Christians in America is that they can be a bunch of whiners. For the past couple of years, we've seen people get very upset about Supreme Court decisions, the placing of the Ten Commandments, and the infringements of religious rights. They whine that their Christian faith is being assaulted by the arrogant, massacred by the media, and persecuted by the powerful.

Well, whoop de do. Every week, I read about Christians being stabbed, stoned, or killed in other lands. I hear about priests and pastors being imprisoned and tortured by dictatorships and communist regimes. I'm sent information about Sunday school teachers being arrested and put on trial in Islamic nations, but I don't hear about the Christian communities over in these places making a big fuss, spoiling for a fight, or over-inflating their case for freedom.

Compared to what Christians are suffering throughout the world, we're getting it very easy. If, instead of using up all of our witnessing power upon getting our own way in this land, we rather focused on the religious rights of others in far more terrible places, we might be respected across this land. But so long as we act like the spoiled brats and pampered chosen of the Christian faith, we're not going to be able to increase our influence over the length and breadth of our nation.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are so sorry that we disappoint You at times with our pharisaical and privileged ways. Instead of winning this nation for You, we're whining across this land. Instead of witnessing for Your Kingdom, we're too busy suing school systems, making court appearances, and appealing to the State for our rights, instead of looking to You for mercy and grace, patience and perseverance. In Your Holy Name, we humbly and shamefully pray. Amen.