God Has Your Back

The world appears to be sharply divided between authoritarian regimes on the one hand and so-called liberal democracies on the other. Yet there's a growing grey area in the middle where censorship is eroding the basic human right of free speech. A recent UK government report on "Faith and Belief in Modern Britain" states that "Christianity is the one faith that is still considered acceptable to mock or deride publicly." An Open Doors report on Western Europe found that 30% to 40% of young Christians admit to self-censoring their faith out of fear of ridicule or professional repercussions. France last year recorded over a thousand anti-Christian acts, including church arsons, desecrations and assaults. Canadian activist Chris Elston, known as "Billboard Chris", was arrested in Australia for standing quietly in a public mall wearing a placard stating, "Children cannot consent to puberty blockers." Persecution is on the rise. You can feel it. You can see it. So, what are we to do? Writes Paul the Apostle in the 1st Century AD: 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 And pray that we will be protected from crooked and evil people. Not everyone believes in the Lord, you know. But the Lord is faithful. He will give you strength and protect you from the Evil One. Wherever you live, whatever system of government you live under, however this rising tide of persecution is playing itself out in your neck of the woods, don't be surprised. Not everyone believes in the Lord, you know. Don't be perturbed, don't be afraid, because the Lord is faithful. He will give you strength and protect you from the Evil One. That's His Word. Fresh … for you … today.