Sabbath: Persecuted but Not Forsaken
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 27th of December 2025
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study
Ephesians 3:1; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; Acts 9:16; Philemon 1:15-16; Colossians 4:9; Philippians 1:1-3; Colossians 1:1-2.
Memory Text:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NKJV).
An Adventist pastor, imprisoned on false charges, spent nearly two years behind bars. Though at first greatly perplexed, he realized the prison was his God-given mission field. When his fellow prisoners learned that he was a pastor, they asked him to preach. He did, and he gave out literature too. He even baptized prisoners and conducted Communion services.
“At times,” he admitted, “it was difficult ministering in the prison, but there was also joy, especially when you saw prayers answered and lives changed.”
Paul wrote Philippians and Colossians from prison (see Philippians 1:7, Colossians 4:3). In fact, in Philippi itself, after Paul and Silas were unjustly accused, the jailer put “their feet in the stocks” (Acts 16:24, NKJV). At midnight, they were “praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25, NKJV; emphasis supplied). Truly they knew how to “rejoice always.”
This week we’ll look at the circumstances that Paul faced. He saw a larger purpose for what happened to him, and perhaps we can learn from him when we, as we inevitably do, face our own trials.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 3.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NKJV).
The above memory text is an eye-opener and an antidote to many heartaches and headaches. Many…many people in the world today are lacking joy because they are looking for it in the wrong places. For instance, they expect to find joy in things/relationships/jobs/substances/circumstances, but sadly, they never find it. True joy is only found in the Lord. True joy is only rooted in the Lord. Circumstances may change and shake us to the core, but they do not define us if we are in the Lord. Paul is simply telling us not to build our joy on what can be lost, but on One who cannot be taken away. The world is constantly promising us joy through more stuff, but Paul is insisting on telling us that by belonging to the Lord, all joy will be ours.
Jesus specifically pinpointed His followers to the true source of joy. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11). Jesus said, “My joy”, true joy is found in Jesus. True joy is received from Jesus. Any other kind of joy is “manufactured”, and it fades away. By abiding in Him, His joy will flow to us.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing”(John 15:5).