Friday: Further Thought – Persecuted but Not Forsaken
Daily Lesson for Friday 2nd of January 2026
Further Thought
“God has chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Therefore stand fast. . . . If you serve God faithfully, you will meet with prejudice and opposition; but do not become provoked when you suffer wrongfully. Do not retaliate. Hold fast your integrity in Jesus Christ. Set your face as a flint heavenward. Let others speak their own words, and pursue their own course of action; it is for you to press on in the meekness and lowliness of Christ. Do your work with steadfast purpose, with purity of heart, with all your might and strength, leaning on the arm of God. The true and exalted nature of your work you may never know. The value of your being you can measure only by the life given to save you. . . .
“For every soul who is growing up into Christ there will be times of earnest and long-continued struggle; for the powers of darkness are determined to oppose the way of advance. But when we look to the cross of Christ for grace, we cannot fail. The promise of the Redeemer is, ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.’ ‘I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ ”—Ellen G. White, in The Youth’s Instructor, Nov. 9, 1899.
Discussion Questions
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I always enjoy watching the “BibleProject” video summaries of Bible books. They are an interesting way to view the big picture of what each book is about. If you are one of those people who find Paul’s writing hard to understand, these videos are made for you. I would use them as a starting point if I was teaching a Sabbath School Class this week.
Philippians: https://youtu.be/oE9qqW1-BkU?si=5hKSgI33qa6BQPO3
Colossians: https://youtu.be/pXTXlDxQsvc?si=MXCQNnCsTgCPnfKw
Please let me know if you like them too.
I would also like to recommend reading these epistles in Eugene Peterson’s, “The Message”, available in most of the online Bibles. His paraphrases in contemprorary English read like letters and give you a feel for his passion for the Gospel and his love for his listeners and readers. I read them both in one evening and enjoyed it so much I am going to read them again. This is Bible study as it was meant to be.
l loved them thank you Maurice
Yes indeed I am going to use them tomorrow and if audio visual fails I have a backup plan.
I would like to comment on above discussion question number 2. For as smart as Satan supposedly is, he certainly isn’t very wise. It reminds me of running the lawn mower over dandelions hoping to get rid of them. It only further spreads their proliferation. So the persecution of the Church causes it to grow. It also separates the wheat from the chaff and purifies the church, much as the refiner’s fire purifies the gold. Yet this is a horrible ordeal on a humanitarian level.
Indeed, “the blood of martyrs is seed.” Yet God used the persecution of the early church to disperse it throughout the then known world. Lest we forget, persecution of Christianity is probably at or near an all time high in our world today. Ask the Nigerian church how serious is the problem. Thousands have been killed, some in their own churches. Recent airstrikes against Isis Islamic affiliates have probably only temporarily beat back the forces of evil. However, this world cannot manufacture enough bullets and bombs to eradicate evil. It’s a spiritual battle being led by demonic forces that have infiltrated human beings. What does Paul say about this battle? “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish (spiritual) strongholds.” 2 Cor.10:4
The first, best, and most powerful thing that we can and must do is pray. This spiritual battle is won or lost on our knees. The Christian Church is the only army that advances on it’s knees. After prayer we must do what we can to help our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, even if they are not of our denomination. It seems as if Rev.6:10-11 is still finding fulfillment today. The blood of the martyrs still crys out.
It’s not enough to just use pious platitudes, telling them that Jesus loves them. In fact we shouldn’t use those words unless and until we are ready to love them too.
“Don’t tell them Jesus loves them ’til you’re ready to love them too
‘Til our heart breaks from the sorrow and the pain they’re going through
With a life full of compassion, may we do what we must do
Don’t tell them Jesus loves them ’til you’re ready to love them too”
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Rob Frazier / Camp Steve
Don’t Tell Them Jesus Loves Them lyrics © Birdwing Music, Sparrow Song
Check out this video, “Don t tell them jesus loves them” https://share.google/x1DmBcoMshXwMGewj
Paul’s message in all his letters was clear: he wanted the gospel advanced for the salvation of all. He had no personal ambition beyond what God had called him to do since his experience on the Damascus Road. Paul was continually glad that the gospel message was being preached by others, even when his own imprisonment motivated and emboldened others to preach more boldly. At one point, he advised Timothy to “preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). Paul did not care how the true gospel was proclaimed, as long as there was no distortion of the message of Christ crucified.
Question 3
Rejoice always doesn’t mean life will be easy.It means that no matter what challenges you face, you can rejoice in God’s love and promises.This joy is a spiritual choice, not just a temporary feeling.
Imagine you lose your job. Naturally, you feel stressed, worried, maybe even sad.Feeling sad is normal.But rejoicing always doesn’t mean ignoring your feelings.It means choosing to trust God despite them.Pray, thank God for the blessings you still have, and look for ways to grow in faith during the situation. Even small gratitude moments are acts of rejoicing.
You or someone you love is sick.Pain, fear and worry are natural.Rejoice in God’s presence.He is with you and comforting you in the struggle.Rejoice in the support of family and friends, seeing them as God’s hands helping you.
Rejoicing always” doesn’t mean ignoring pain or pretending everything is fine.It means choosing to focus on God’s love, promises, and eternal hope, even while experiencing real difficulties.Every act of trust, gratitude and hope becomes a way of rejoicing.
No matter what going on around us. We have to rejoice in the Lord always. Staying focus on God will keep us from distractions.
Rejoice, rejoice,and his strenght will carry us through it all.
“God has chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth.” [Ellen G. White]
Deut.31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
1Thess.5:18 – ”Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
To ponder: “Salvation through Sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth.”
“The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed.” [Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson]
Ultimately, who’s work of Grace/responsibility is the spreading and receiving of the Word of God – the church’s or the Holy Spirit’s?
Every faithful believer experiences the workings of the Holy Spirit in their heart and mind – where it leads to, only the Spirit knows.
We are all called to faith in God’s Truth as declared by Jesus Christ; to live by it and so allow our life to be a living testament to the Holy Spirit’s work of our ‘Salvation through redemption and sanctification.’
Well said Brigitte. The E.G. White quote is actually from 2 Thess 2:13…
Thank you, Kenny – pointing out the source of her comment is much appreciated! I love and rejoice in the Word of God!
In reference to question 1. Paul defended his rights. The most pronounced was a time when Paul said, “I am a Roman citizen.” I will have to leave it there though.
Paul who told us to “rejoice always” didn’t say it from a life free of suffering. He endured beatings, shipwrecks, hunger, betrayal, imprisonment, and illness. Yet, he still wrote “rejoice always.” That tells us that the rejoicing Paul had in mind wasn’t about circumstances, but about Christ and God’s promises—things that never change.
Here’s what we can always rejoice in, no matter our situation:
God’s Presence: Even in pain, God is with us (Psalm 23:4). Knowing He doesn’t abandon us gives a reason to rejoice.
His Faithfulness: God has proven His love and faithfulness throughout Scripture and in our personal lives. That’s a constant foundation for joy.
Salvation and Eternal Life: Our hope in Christ is secure. Physical trials are temporary, but eternal life is guaranteed for those who trust Him (Romans 8:38–39).
Opportunities to Grow and Witness: Hardships can strengthen faith, build character, and provide opportunities to encourage others through our example (James 1:2–4).
Answered Prayers and Small Blessings: Even in suffering, God gives daily mercies, comfort, and moments of peace that can be a source of joy.
So “rejoice always” isn’t telling us to ignore grief or pretend everything is fine. It’s an invitation to shift our focus from temporary circumstances to the unchanging reality of God’s love, presence, and promises. Joy becomes less about what’s happening around us and more about who God is and what He’s doing in our lives.
I have enjoyed this week’s lesson.
We can always rejoice in the death of our Redeemer! Because He chose to come and save whoever accepts His sacrifice! What a privilege! God became one like us! Rejoice in Him!
Yes indeed we learned JC that as members, we are to find happiness in the happiness of those we help and bless. This coming week I do believe we will find Thanksgiving in Christ. I believe we gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing. Yes I know Thanksgiving here in the old USofA is past, yet just like taking Christ in our thoughts, and action daily instead of just the seventh day is the will of God for us to do His pleasure. 🙏
Great exposition. Thanks Maurice be blessed.