Costly Obedience

What will you do when obedience to God costs you something? Hebrews 11 describes men and women who endured ridicule, imprisonment, mistreatment, and even death rather than abandon their faith. They could have escaped much of their suffering by conforming to the world around them, but they chose obedience because they trusted God and His promises. In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds us that followers of Christ still face pressure to compromise. It may come through rejection from friends, career consequences for refusing unethical practices, ridicule from coworkers, or hostility toward your Christian convictions. Whatever form it takes, the temptation is the same: conform rather than stand firm. But believers are not without strength. When opposition comes, we can look to the cross of Jesus Christ as our fortress and our joy. The faithful saints of the Old Testament looked forward to God’s promised redemption, while believers today look back to Christ’s finished work on the cross as the only basis of salvation. When your faith and complete trust rest in Jesus Christ, you can persevere through rejection, hardship, and trials without surrendering to fear. The world may pressure you to compromise, but God calls you to stand firm—rejoicing in the Kingdom that is already here and awaiting its glorious fulfillment. Prayer: Father, though I am not faced with the extreme, violent persecution that so many believers in other countries are dealing with today, I do struggle with feelings of rejection and pressure from unbelievers in my life. In these moments, help me remember those who have gone before me and have stood strong in the face of persecution. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon They Were Just like Us, The Warring Faith: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone. 🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer TeamsOur trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.https://ltw.org/care💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:https://myfaithassistant.comIf you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.❤️ Support Leading The Way:https://www.ltw.org/donate