Blessings On The Sufferers

James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James 5:11 “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

Even Job, who was a good man, was afflicted by hard times. Many prophets were persecuted and killed ( Isaiah was sawed into two) but what Job went through was a strange experience. He lost all; his family and wealth in one day. However we see the double blessing he came out with due to his faith and perseverance.
 

1 Peter 3:14 “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.””

This world is not a world with justice. Sometimes, blameless people get punished and the guilty run free. Sometimes, deserving people do not get rewarded and people that do good end up suffering. A lot of things that the world says are good or right, God sees as wrong.
 
However, in this verse, Peter tells us that when we suffer when we do right, we are blessed.

 In the Beatitudes, it is written, “ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5.6) and “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ( Matthew 5.10). This is because a righteous God is watching all things.

1 Peter 4:14 “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

Even when we are persecuted for the Good News, we are blessed! Many people have had to face troubles and insults only because they believe in Jesus. These people are blessed as the Spirit of glory rests upon them and they will receive their reward from heaven!

The Apostles were persecuted and tortured but as it is written in Acts 5.41, “ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name”

The worldly and godly point of view is totally different. In the worldly sense, it was not justice but in the godly sense, they rejoiced as they were counted worthy of suffering disgrace. From God’s point of view, they were blessed and rewarded.

Revelation 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them.”

This passage talks about what is to come in the future.There are only two kinds of death in the world: in the Lord and without the Lord.

Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 It says that those who have lived in the Lord ( they in Christ and Christ in them) and then die physically, they die in the Lord; these people are blessed. Even after their death, their deeds on earth will follow them and they will be rewarded accordingly in Heaven.

Revelation 16:15 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

It was sin that exposed nakedness in Adam and Eve. For a saved person, we are covered with the robe of righteousness; our spiritual nakedness is not exposed. This verse talks about being spiritually awake and clothed. These people are also blessed! In other words, a person who does nothing for Christ, is spiritually sleeping.

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