princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. [psalm 119:161]
the posture of the persecuted
what is your posture when you are persecuted? looking back, my flesh consistently responds with self-pity and reaching out to others to soothe my ego. how does your flesh respond?
however it does, paul speaks directly to this issue in his letter to the galatians: but i say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh….and those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [5:16,24]
the response of the psalmist in the face of unfair persecution is not self-pity, fear, or pride, but awe of God’s words! what a testimony!
what would it look like for you to spend the entire day in a posture of awe? so that when stresses, persecution, and temptations come your way you will step right into obedience? and how can you repent for allowing your flesh to determine your posture before the world?
Lord, forgive us for gratifying the desires of the flesh in response to hardship and persecution. please teach us to posture our entire lives in a position of awe and worship of you. we cannot walk in the Spirit in our own strength; Spirit, show us the way!
~ stephen hall