Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12

How can there be blessing in persecution? The persecution itself is not a blessing—but the resulting purity in our hearts and the grace God gives by which we may endure and even rejoice in persecution are blessings indeed.

Purity from persecution. The Bible speaks of spiritual refining as a result of fire (Proverbs 17:3). As precious metals are heated to separate impurities from silver or gold, so trials of any kind—but persecution in particular—accomplishes the same in our hearts. God “fires us” again and again, purifying those He loves. God’s purification, though it be by fire, is a sanctifying blessing.

Grace given in persecution. Apart from God’s grace, who could hope to endure? But wrapped in His grace, we truly can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. God’s grace, even when in the fire, is a sanctifying blessing.

“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” (v.12)