Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.  Revelation 4:11 ESV

Those who have suffered because of following Jesus, all seem to come to the same unwavering conclusion.

For 25 years, Andrew Brunson pastored a small church in Turkey.  In 2016, he was suddenly arrested and falsely charged with being part of a terrorist organization.  He never dreamed that he would spent over two years in prison, including solitary confinement.  In his second year of imprisonment, after many setbacks in his legal case, Brunson felt shocked to be praying simply, “I love you Jesus.  Whatever you do or do not do, I will follow you! You are worthy.”[1]

Dr. Helen Roseveare, missionary physician to Zaire in 1960, never dreamed she’d be caught up in a revolution, imprisoned, beaten and brutally raped. She recounted, “When the awful moments came, I thought, ‘No, God, this has gone too far.’ It seemed that the price was too high to pay. And then God seemed to be saying, ‘Change the question: It’s not, is it worth it? It is, am I worthy?’ Is He worthy? Always the answer is, “Yes.”[2]

A former Muslim, Ahmed lives with this question every day.  He has been arrested and beaten over 150 times.  Because of his faith in Jesus, he lost his wife, children, profession, and inheritance.  With glowing face, Ahmed says, “Jesus is worthy!”[3]

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,” the song of heaven proclaims in the book of Revelation, “for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:11, 5:9,11).

[1] Personal Interview, February 25, 2020.

[2] “Why Does God Allow Suffering?” 100 Huntley, 12 May 2011, youtu.be/ssl5vUxJgqw. Accessed 13 Sept. 2022.

[3] Personal Interview, April 6, 2022.