Matthew 5:11-12 - (Jesus said) "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The five-year-old boy was at a fast-food restaurant with his mother, brother, and sister. I'm proud to say that the family saw no need to change their custom of praying before their meal. The boy asked if he could say the prayer. He prayed with the volume and vigor of a normal five-year-old: "Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest and let these gifts to us be blest ... and, Lord, if Mom would add fruit pies for desert, I would be even more thankful. God, this is Your friend, Danny, signing out for the rest of the family."

A lady in the next booth whispered, so all could hear, "No wonder this country has gone to the dogs. Kids—they don't even know how to say their prayers. As if God doesn't have other things to do than provide fruit pies?" An older man leaned across the aisle and said, "I've been praying for a lot of years, and if I know God like I think I do, He would rate that prayer as being one of the best He's heard. In fact, it's a shame more people don't ask Him for fruit pies. Fruit pies can be good for our hearts and souls."

Mom bought fruit pies for the entire family. The little boy turned around, tapped the shoulder of the lady who had put down his prayer, and said, "Here, I want you to have my fruit pie. Fruit pies can sometimes be good for our hearts and souls."

Though a seemingly trivial event, the boy successfully survived his first taste of "persecution." In the years to come, Satan will return to try again. Scheming and shrewd, the father of lies will try to wear down, tear down, and destroy the boy's Christian courage and confidence. He will do the same to you, brother and sister. When that day comes, I encourage you to remember that you are not alone.

Christian heroes in every generation have been persecuted for their faith. In those moments of trial, they turned to their Redeemer for strength and courage. Like Paul the apostle they believed, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison," (2 Corinthians 4:17). Confident in Christ's atoning work on the cross and His glorious resurrection from the dead, their words and deeds declared their faith to all those around them that Jesus reigns triumphant.

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing our prayers, large and small, and for giving us Your Son Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.

From "A Dubious Distinction," a devotion from Rev. Dr. Kenneth Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you have special memories of eating out with your family at a favorite restaurant?

2. Ridicule comes in many forms. Do you have an experience like Danny's in your life?

3. Who inspires you to keep strong in your faith when times are difficult?

Today's Bible Readings: Job 14-16    Matthew 10:1-20

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