Just think when Paul became a Christian he was told how much he would suffer by our Lord, (Acts 9 v16) I wonder how we would feel, if we knew that trusting Jesus would mean suffering ,would we want to become a Christian? Why are we surprised at this,our Saviour never promised any of us that we wouldn't suffer ,he said these words, ''Whoever wants to be my disciple must deney themselves and take up their cross and follow Me'' (Matthew 16 v24) There are many in this world who know that if they trusted Jesus there would be a heavy cost ,we can name so many countries that is a grim reality. As regards Paul and his suffering,one has said,'Jesus sacrifice and suffered providing the way of salvation.Paul's will ensure the offer of salvation reaches the people'. The apostle Paul during his life ,experienced a great deal of sufferring( 2 Corinthians 11 v 23-29) I want to highlight an occassion on which he suffered,we read it about in Acts 16,in the city of Philippi,Paul and Silas were arrested and severely flogged and then thrown into prison with their feet in the stocks.Then we read that at midnight they were praying and singing,they were not singing in the rain ,they were singing in their pain.They were singing praises to God ,what they did is a challenge to all of us,anyone can sing when the sun is shining bright, but what about when we are experencing pain and difficulties ,I will leave some words from the following song.
'There is never a night so dreary ,there is never a night so long
But the soul that is trusting in Jesus,will somewhere find a song.
There is never a care or burden,there's never a grief or a loss,
But Jesus in love will lighten, when carried to the cross.
Wonderful,wonderful,Jesus,In the heart He implanted a song,
A song of deliverance, of courage of strength;
In the heart He implanted a song. ( Words Annie B. Russel)
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