*DAILY DEW 2/MAY/2023* *CALLED UNTO SUFFERING* _Key Bible Text:_ *"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."* (Matthew 5:39 (KJV)) _Bible Insight:_ As expected, "suffering" is a subject we will rather not deal with. But interestingly scriptures gives us ample teachings and examples of christ like suffering, when we take a closer look. The "turn your cheek for another slap" rule is quite ridiculous. But I think Jesus meant business because He went on to explain from Matthew 5:39 through to 44 & 45 which I will like to share again: Matthew 5:44-45 (KJV): *"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"* Now He didn't stop there. He wanted us to know why we should do this: *"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."* Make no mistake about this. This is a form of "suffering" too. You are clearly told to not take a pound of your own flesh or repay evil for evil. We are told to do this so that we can truly earn the right time to be called the children of God. *"Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."* 1 Peter 3:9 (KJV) And the best part is that, though on the one side it is suffering, on the other hand, it is a blessing. A blessing in disguise indeed. When we do this, refuse to repay evil for evil, even when a part of us may be screaming, "DO YOUR OWN BACK", we are inheriting a blessing, according to 1Peter 3:9. Hallelujah! This world will not make obeying such teachings easy on you. But understand that it was never easy on Jesus either. He almost begged God to let the cup of suffering pass over him but in the end, he preferred to please God, and do His will. He also prayed for the forgiveness of those who took part in bringing suffering on Him. What will you do? May God help us in Jesus name! Amen _MEDITATION:_ *"For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps"* (1 Peter 2:20-21 (KJV)) See also: Romans 12:14, 17, 19-21; 1 Cor. 4:12-13; Ephesians 4:32; 1 Thess 5:15 *#David_Joshua_Egbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_MAY,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.