“hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” 2 Corinthians 4:8

April 2014, Nigeria: over 200 teenage schoolgirls, mainly Christians, kidnapped by Boko Haram fighters. Most of them were forcibly converted to Islam and married to Boko Haram fighters.

Monica, one of the girls, kept the faith. She refused to deny Christ. She was buried up to her neck and stoned to death.

Polycarp, in the 2nd Century AD, kept the faith. He refused to worship the Roman emperor. “How can I blaspheme my King and Saviour?” he declared. The elderly man was burned at the stake.

How many Christians would be willing to die today for their faith, as Monica and Polycarp did? With our modern selfish values, how many of us could say in the face of suffering and death, “I have kept the faith”?  

The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:13-14 applies to himself the affirmation of the psalmist (Psalm 116:10): I kept my faith, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted” 

Our proper response: we continue to minister and serve persevere, never abandoning our calling. live transparent and sincere lives put on the breastplate of righteousness and the belt of truth 

Engage in the conflict, recognising that: we are warriors in the battle between the god of this world and the God of eternity (and God wins). we must be good and faithful servants through the conflict.

Maintain confidence and courage: We have the light of the Gospel. We are not hemmed in or crushed. We keep our hope and faith. We know God never abandons us. We may get knocked down but are not destroyed. We show the life of Jesus in our lives, even as we suffer for Him.

The wider meaning - consummation: Paul saw the that the End is written: God’s purposes will be fulfilled. Without this, suffering can have no meaning. We will ultimately triumph. The gates of hell will not prevail. Christ has risen, and one day we shall rise with him.

The true meaning: Monica’s father said “To die for the sake of Christ – that’s the happiest thing for me. I’m grateful she didn’t change her religion. She trusted in God.” Her mother added, “Monica is now in heaven because she refused to convert.”

Young, frightened and alone Persecuted for her faith and facing death Monica could say, with Paul and the psalmist, “I have kept my faith”