“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5;10-11

Knowing biblical history can help you remain steadfast in the face of suffering. Jesus reminded us of this when He delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

Among the prophets, perhaps Jeremiah gives us an example of a man who remained steadfast in the face of real persecution. The Old Testament book that bears his name records that Jeremiah was beaten, put in stocks, imprisoned, and thrown into a muddy cistern because he opposed the false prophets – people who told the king what he wanted to hear instead of what he needed to hear. To the very end, Jeremiah’s audience brazenly rejected his message, calling him a liar even as Israel was destroyed. Yet Jeremiah did the difficult thing and remained faithful.

The story of Job is more familiar as a man who endured a life destroyed and yet he remained faithful to God no matter what.

For those who avoid the Old Testament, let’s remember that we can learn a lot from those who came before us. How do you define steadfast? My thesaurus provides these synonyms: loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, dependable, and reliable.

New Testament believers would also be familiar with persecution. Peter wrote these encouraging words in his first episitle-

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3: 14-17

Should we face some kind of persecution, we should remember those who came before us.