Somewhere in the Scriptures, Jesus makes a sharp comparison between “the learned and the clever” versus those who are “gentle and humble in heart” and the later he calls “little ones” (Matt. 11:25) . ‘Little’ here does not necessarily refer to age or stature, but to the wisdom of God that can only be utilised by those who humble themselves to follow God’s ways. Jesus concludes that those who are on God’s side are the ‘little ones’; ‘gentle and humble in heart’. Somewhere else, Jesus makes the pronouncement “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5: 5). All these, reminds us that God never forget his little ones and that we should always be on their side. “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest, says the Lord.” (Matt 11: 28).

Sometimes, we presume that just because God has blessed us with wealth, position or something, we are “the learned and clever”. Remember when God positions you, he also gives you a responsibility to take care of “the little ones” in your domain. Many times we think we are clever or learned because we find ourselves in a vantage position. At times like that, we begin to outclass others and act as if the whole world is in our feet. We forget that our God is a God of the poor and one day he will act. We have to be careful because it can be more difficult for the so called “learned and clever” to implement the divine mandate because of the lures and temptations that the world offers.

Throughout history, God has always reminded us that he always intervenes on behalf of those who are ‘gentle and humble of heart”. although sometimes he may delay. As for the proud, the ‘learned and clever,’ his ways remain a mystery (Matt. 11:25-30). Once upon a time, God’s people (the Israelites) were oppressed and exploited by foreign powers and the Prophet Zechariah reminded them that the end of their suffering was in sight and their God will soon come to their rescue… ” (Zech. 9:9-10). Let’s not deceive ourselves; human beings cannot manipulate God. The Psalmist reminds us of our inheritance as God’s little ones when he says :”Wait a little and the wicked will be no more; look for them but you won’t find them; the poor will posses the land and will delight in great prosperity and peace” (Psalm 37: 10-11).

Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Rev Fr Peter Obele Abue PhD, and does not represent Theluminenews, its agent or the organisation the author works for.

No human being by nature wishes persecution upon himself. Even Jesus Christ prayed that His father should take the cross from him (read Mathew 26:39). Jeremiah the prophet prayed to God to deliver him from the power of the wicked (Jer. 20:13). Unfortunately, no matter how we wish off persecutions, they will always come. As Christians, we should not play into the hands of the enemy as the enemy is always happy when we enter into their trap. The enemy takes pleasure in attacking goodness, maligning and ridiculing the righteous who try to do good.That’s why Jesus warns that if we must suffer persecution, it must be for the sake of righteousness (Matt 5:10).

In the world of today, as soon as you set off to do good, know that the devil will be ready to disparage you. Jeremiah cried out saying: “I hear the whisperings of many: ‘Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!’ All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine.” (Jer. 20:10) Persecuting people even when they do good is what brings retrogression and lack of progress to any society. In the political arena today, we have witnessed more calumny against positively charged individuals with laudable agenda for change than otherwise. People always prefer to cut down the straight tree and leave the crooked ones standing in the forest. People who are honest, diligent, and upright are often labeled difficult, stubborn, or “too serious”, while those who bend the rules, compromise their values, and act corruptly are called flexible, smart, and easy to work with.

For a true Christian, however, you must learn to live with persecutions, by accepting it as part of your spiritual growth. The world we live in, is not a perfect world. The world has been adulterated by sin, but the grace of God still abounds and evil cannot overcome good (read Rom 5:12-15). Jesus admonishes those who suffer persecution, not to live in perpetual fear of evil. “do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna” (Matt 10:28). Jesus himself carried his own cross to teach us patience when suffering persecution. May this virtue help us as we live in a world full of persecutions.