Lesson 22: Shaping persecution’s effects
 www.bible.com/bible/59/psa.119 

 161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.
165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you.
 
It should never come as a surprise to us when we are attacked or persecuted in this earthly life. Jesus Himself told us we have a great enemy, the devil, who hates us simply because we belong to God. This enemy hates us even more when we are active in God’s kingdom, telling others about Him and His way of salvation (John 15:18-21).

Verse 162 – Jesus also told us to rejoice when we are persecuted for His name’s sake – Matthew 5:11-12. Here the joy is that we have found great treasure in God’s word when we allowed the persecution to drive us to the great awe of Him we find there.

Verse 163 – we again remember from Ephesians 6:12 the identity of our true enemy. Our battle is not against the person (flesh and blood) but against evil forces of the spiritual kind.

In verses 164, the blessings from God for those who face persecution are given:
- Praise to God
- Peace that passes all understanding
- Hope that will not fail
- Continued growth in His word and our love for it
- Faithfulness to God

John 16:33 is our haven of promise – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”