Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Were the apostles mad? They were threatened, put in prison and beaten, but they were rejoicing! How could it be? They should be asking God why they were suffering when they were doing His work.

To most people, it would be considered a shame to be whipped in public. But to the apostles, they considered it as an honour to suffer for the name of Christ and to be partakers of Christ in His sufferings.

They were doing just as the Lord said: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven….Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt 5:10, 12).

Faithless Christians ask why but the faithful ones let the will of God be done. Last week, I read a piece of terrible news but it contains a beautiful story of faith. A little girl, Juniper Wren Stacy, was born on October 10, 2016 to her parents, Jeffrey and Meghan Stacy. But she passed away peacefully in their loving arms on October 14, 2016. Just four days on this earth but she touched many lives and was loved deeply. What happened?

Her mother wrote: “My water broke around 10am yesterday, and the cord prolapsed. We were rushed by ambulance to the best hospital around for babies. Juniper was without oxygen for a long time.” The medical team had to resuscitate the baby. They got Juniper’s heart to beat on its own, but they had to breathe for her. She had seizures because of brain swelling. The brain scans showed no activity but the seizures.

No parents would want to go through such ordeal. How did Jeffrey and Meghan take it? They did not blame God. I was totally inspired by their faith and courage. This is what Meghan wrote on her Facebook: “I can honestly say things look so different now that I know Juniper Wren. I’m seeing beauty in everything. Things are more real, more vibrant. Everything seems to be more purposeful. Juniper will do that for you. Let her love and light show you the gifts are around you. Don’t take a single one for granted.”

One wrote: “An angel wrote in the book of life my baby’s date of birth then whispered a she closed the book, “Too beautiful for earth.”

I was so touched by their faith and even at this time of their life, able to encourage others. I read of others who shared their similar experiences how they too had lost a little one. I do not know brother Jeffrey and sister Meghan but I prayed very hard for them hoping that God will give Juniper life. But I think God deemed she was too beautiful for earth and took her to Him. How blessed are those little eyes which open and the first face they see is the face of God. And more blessed are those whose faith when under trials, remain steadfast and continue to trust in the One who did not grant them their petitions.

Job lost everything he loved in one day. He did not question God. What did he do? “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:20-21).

Instead of charging God foolishly, Job praised the name of God. I am thankful for the faith of our brethren who, in spite of their illness, continue to trust in God and praise God. They set as examples for those who may suffer the same afflictions: “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Cor 1:4).

The early Christians rejoiced in their tribulations because they counted it an honour to suffer for Christ. “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13).

They did not look at the present pain but at the exceeding joy that will come when they meet God. They looked for a better home when their pain will be over and there will be no more pain (Revelations 21:4).

Let us not look only at the present pain but the glory that shall be revealed to us, when the crown of life is placed on our heads. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelations 2:10).

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.