Counted Worthy!

And they were persuaded by him. And having called the apostles to them, they beat them and charged them not to speak based upon the name of Jesus; and they released them. 

So they went from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the Name. 

And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and announcing the gospel of Jesus as the Christ. (Acts 5:40-42, RecVer)

The apostles set the pattern of the gospel living for all the believers to follow suit. In the principle of the first happening, what the apostles were counted worthy of, by being persecuted in the name of Jesus, all the believers thereafter repeated the same experience. Today and tomorrow, it is the same narrow, constricted, and persecuted path that has been laid for the believers in the same Lord Jesus Christ. The path has been laid, but it is up to the Lord when His children will actually walk this path and be persecuted at the same time. According to the Scriptures, those whom the Lord allowed and graced to walk the path of persecution were counted worthy of the Lord. In actuality, in a very positive and spiritual sense, it is an honor to be persecuted in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I wonder if I will be graced to be able get this honor. It's all up to the Lord’s sovereignty. Only time will tell.

Last Lord's day, I was informed of the imprisonment of six of our young saints who were preaching the gospel in Noida. When I heard the matter, it was a shocking surprise. Because, as per the law of the land quoted below, what transpired should not have been legally correct.

Article 25, Constitution of India 1950

(Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion). It guarantees the freedom of conscience, the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion to all citizens.

However, the world we live in is always against Christ. Satanic forces were behind instigating persecution to the children of God. It was then during the apostles' time, so it is now in our time, in our nation. Nothing new, and nothing to surprised of. Satan's kingdom has been shaken! He then breathed threatening knowing fully well, his time of execution of the Lord Jesus' victory at the cross is near. But all his deeds will only strengthen the Lord’s move and serve as a wake up call to all sleeping Christians. What Satan meant for harm, the Lord overturned it as a timely good for His children. Praise the Lord!

Sincerely, I worship the Lord for allowing persecution to His beloved children. My appreciation and regard for these young siants have shot up due to this incident. My eyes became more widely opened to the Lord’s move in North India. I could perceive that this is a new beginning among the Hindi heartland for His testimony. Amidst saffronisation and amidst persecution, the glorious banner has been raised up high, "Jesus is Lord, Christ is Victor!"

Yet on the human side, I also have a prayer and concern for those still in bonds. I pray daily for the Lord’s covering upon them, for His grace to supply and sustain them, that they would experience and gain the Lord much much more. And that they also be released and all charges dropped soon. I beseech the sovereign Lord for their early release and timely intervention. Until then, my prayer will follow on. Despite all, the gospel preaching should go on, day by day, house to house, as the apostle did so.

What a grace to be counted worthy to suffer in His name! This is rejoice worthy!