Hope for the Best

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,

and he rules with a mighty arm.

See, his reward is with him,

and his recompense accompanies him.

– Isaiah 40:10

According to Global Christian Relief’s 2026 report on Christian persecution, an estimated 388 million Christ-followers worldwide face high levels of persecution and discrimination. Likewise, Open Doors UK & Ireland reports that 4,849 Christians were murdered for their faith as well as 4,712 detained or imprisoned. More than 3,600 churches or Christian properties were also attacked. Sub-Saharan Africa is the deadliest region for Believers this year, with Sudan, Nigeria, and Mali being the epicenters of violence.

Anti-Christian persecution also isn’t isolated to faraway lands. In Canada, 2026’s passage of Bill C-9 (the so-called Combating Hate Act) established hate-motivated offenses with escalating sentencing penalties under the nation’s Criminal Code. Moreover, it removed a section of the Criminal Code that provided a specific good-faith religious opinion defense for quoting or interpreting religious scriptures. That means traditional scriptural teachings or moral stances on sexuality and marriage can be prosecuted as hate speech, and public preaching and the expression of sincerely held beliefs are now under fire.

Christ-followers shouldn’t be shocked. After all, the apostle Peter penned this admonition that’s as applicable now as it was nearly 2,000 years ago:

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Peter adds that “… those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” 

How should we deal with our 21st century adversities? Let’s remember these words of hope from Jesus:

“Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”

What does Jesus mean by light? It’s really that “spark” or inner power that God grants each Christ-follower for demonstrating his goodness through their words and deeds. We might show it by running a much-needed errand for an elderly neighbor or by volunteering to manage a co-worker’s project when they’re struggling to finish an earlier assignment. Other examples could involve cleaning up a community park, buying groceries for a shut-in, or visiting the residents of an assisted living center. Ultimately, this kind of light shines bright when we tangibly live out our faith.

From the earliest Christ-followers to their modern-day counterparts like you and me, Believers have lived in dark times marked by persecutions both far and near. But the good news is that we can remain faithful through uncertainty and exhaustion because our God is sovereign, faithful … and unfailing in strength.

That’s why we can — and should — hope for the best.