A violet was lodged near the steps of a house where, in the early spring, it could receive the noonday sun. When a pleasant day came around the early sun touched it tenderly, and it began to lift itself up to see once more the world from which it had been so long retired, and to hear the bird songs that were part of the vernal happiness. But the north wind happened to see it, and enraged at its audacity and presumption, and especially at its contempt of hyperborean authority, attacked it fiercely and drove it back to its seclusion. It was the most savage wind of the season. The brightness and joy that were appearing where it had reigned with its rigors and destructions irritated it to unaccustomed passion, and its bluster was such as neither December nor January had equaled. Its wrath was all concentrated upon the retreating violet. By night and day it scolded, shook its fists, brandished its weapons, shrieking, threatening, and abusing as only the north wind can. And then it came with chilling rains, after which it beat it with snow and pelted it with rain and hail. The least sign of activity in the violet would start it up, when, all over again, the plant would bear its reproaches and peltings for daring to intrude its flippant vanity upon the traditional gravity of the season. All this while the violet said nothing. Why should it fight with anything so unreasoning as a Rocky Mountain tempest? But as it had opportunity it sent its roots a little farther down into the soil and starting the life to circulating through its stems and leaves, waited for the wind to become jaded and discouraged, when it would no longer interfere with its liberty. And at length it had its reward, for one bright day it pushed up its purple face and smiled a breath of fragrance on the air, the north wind only frowning, grumbling, then sulkily stalking off to leave it to itself.
When the owner who had planted and watched it leaned down close to see its beauty and inhale its sweetness, it pleasantly whispered in his ear, “Let me be a lesson to you. When men assail you, just let them have their way. Nothing is gained by fighting ill-tempered passion. Wait in patience, do your work as you can, believe in the coming sunshine, look out hopefully on the future, trust in God, and when your assailants have wearied themselves and gone off, you can smile and be thankful just as I do to-day.”
--Jeremiah Rankin Johnston, pp. 87-88.
The apostle Paul told Timothy, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:10–12).
Persecution may come in different forms. Jesus warned his disciples, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:22–26).
Jesus said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt. 5:10–12). Peter sets forth Jesus as an example to imitate when persecution comes our way: “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:20–24).
Paul encouraged Hebrew Christians to endure despite the persecutions that came their way: “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” (Heb. 10:32–39).
At the instituting of his supper and in the shadow of the cross, Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you [plural pronoun, speaking to all his apostles – bfv], that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee [Simon Peter], that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31–32). Jesus warned his apostles of the efforts of Satan. Then he said to Peter, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” Do you suppose Jesus prays for us in our times of difficulties that our faith will not fail? Regardless of the persecution that will come our way as Christians, we must endure. BFV