Throughout Scripture, from the earliest of times, God has promised to look after His people through the trials and persecutions that face His people, in life.

While we today may be concerned about promised persecution at the end of the age, it is important to remember that the cruelty of conquest of Old Testament times was far worse than even what it is likely the future will bring. Killing people was basically the sport of the Old Testament!

The most famous account of this was when King David didn't!

(Today we will print the full Scriptures as they are truly the heart of the consolation we have in our Lord.)

[ David and Bathsheba ] In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 11:1)

In 722BC the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel was finally conquered by the Assyrians while Judahs capital of Jerusalem fell after a terrible and agonizing siege by the Babylonians on March 16, 597BC. While King Nebuchadnezzar left behind a small group of the poorest people under Zedekiah, they too were wiped off the map 10 years later.

Most of the comfort scriptures were written to encourage the people of those days, but they are equally applicable now, and in the times to come.

The most famous of all, which we often quote today, is from the 23rd Psalm when David said.....

Even if I walk through a valley of darkness, I will fear no harm, for You are with me. (Psalm23:4)

David was an ordinary guy who made lots of mistakes, just like you and me. He lived a life that was firstly in mortal danger from Kind Saul, then through the many wars he fought, and finally even from his son Absalom.

Yet the amazing thing about him was that God could still say.....

After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ (Acts 13:22)

Can God say the same about me? About you?

(Scriptures with the verse identifier beforehand are taken the Revised English Bible. Others from the NIV, as usual.)

Psalms 18:3 I shall call upon the Lord, then I will be made safe.

Psalms 31:23-24 The Lord protects the faithful. Be strong, all you whose hope is in the Lord.

Psalms 64:10 The righteous rejoice, their refuge in the Lord.

Psalms 37:18-19 The Lord watches over the righteous, when times are bad, they will not be distressed.

Psalms 91:1-16 ...He will rescue you, you will not fear the terrors abroad.

Psalms 121:1-8 Our help comes from the Lord, He will guard your life.

Psalms 109:31 The Lord stands at the right hand of the poor and saves them from trials.

Psalms 97:10-12 He keeps His loyal servants safe and rescues them from the wicked.

Psalms 60:4-5 To those who fear the Lord, He will show the way to escape from trouble.

Psalms 37:9 For evildoers will be destroyed, those who trust in the Lord will prosper in the Land.

Ecclesiasticus 34:13-17 Those who fear the Lord will live, for their trust in Him can keep them safe. The Lord keeps watch over those who love Him, He is their shield and support, a shelter from the scorching wind and the heat of the sun. He raises their spirits and gives healing, life and blessings.

And through Davids son, Solomon.....

Proverbs 3:25 Do not be afraid when fools are frightened or when destruction overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side on that Day.

Job was surely a man tested to the very limits of human endurance! Yet his confidence and trust in the Lord remained solid. What an example to us today!

Job 22:30 He will deliver the innocent, because their hands are pure.

ISAIAH.....

Isaiah 41:3 For I the Lord, will hold your right hand, saying: fear not, I will help you.

Isaiah 43:2b…walk thru fire and you will not be scorched, thru flames and not be burned.

Isaiah 51:16 I keep you covered under the shelter of My hand.

JEREMIAH.....

Jeremiah 30:7 How terrible is that Day….yet Jacob [Israel: My people] will come thru it safely.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed is anyone who trusts in the Lord, they will be like trees by a stream, when the heat comes it has nothing to fear.

DANIEL.....

Daniel 3:25 An angel protects the 3 men in the furnace.

Daniel 12:1 There will be a time of anguish, but at that time, Your people will be delivered, all those whose names are written in the Book of Life.

AND OTHERS.....

Joel 3:16 The Lord roars from Zion, the heavens and the earth shudder, but He is a refuge for His people and a defence for Israel.

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is a sure protection in times of trouble and cares for all those who make Him their refuge.

Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the Lord, all you who obey Him, it may be that you will be sheltered on the Day of the Lord’s anger.

Zechariah 9:15-16 The Lord of hosts will protect His people...On that Day, He will save them, like a flock, for they are precious to Him. Isaiah 61:10

You may say that the Scriptures quoted so far are all from the Old Testament, not the New.

Principally the New deals with persecution. We have previously looked at the stoning of Stephen and learned that the Disciples, except John, were all martyred for their faith. I do pose the question again, why should we be any different?

There are countless examples in the past 2000 years of those who have been persecuted and many killed for their faith, right up to today. Again, what is so special about us that we should be any different?

The key to the New Testament Scriptures isn't that we will be zapped away but that we will be protected within the troubles that are coming, and indeed have been coming since the day Jesus died.

2 Peter 2:9 God knows how to rescue the godly from their trials.

2 Thessalonians 1:7 ...to give you relief when the Lord Jesus comes in blazing fire.

1 Corinthians 10:13.... God will not test you beyond your powers and when the test comes, He will provide a way out to enable you to endure.

I trust that these Scriptures are a comfort to you, as they are to me.

Truly WALKING WITH JESUS is not meant to be an easy way to live your life. Yet, through all the problems and persecutions our Lord is with us. Sadly, many seek an easy way out, when there is none.

May we instead, learn to rest in the palm of His hand through the challenges, difficulties and persecutions of life now, and in what is to come.

I feel to end this with SELAH, actually a musical direction found in Psalms. It seems appropriate in this context.

SELAH

We will sum up what we have learned. May the Lord be with us.

I truly thank the Lord that He is with me through thick and thin!

Thank you Lord.

ANCIENT ROADS

Throughout history the road has provided an excellent metaphor for life's journey. With amazement, we can look back over the winding grades of difficulty, the narrow pass of opportunity, the choice between security or adventure, when our road divided and we had to make the call. Roman Road pictured.

Source: http://www.bible-history.com