PRAY TO BE BOLD!

PRAY TO BE BOLD!

So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. —Acts 4:18

‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’ —Acts 25-26

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness. —Acts 4:29

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. —Acts4:31

            The religious elite commanded that the followers of Jesus not longer “speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” If you were told this, what would you do? First, these faithful followers of Jesus reflected on what King David had said from Psalm 2:1-2 — “Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed.”   There are those in authority who hate Jesus and those who follow Him. Those in government are supposed to understand that they are God’s servants, but many are self-serving. Just as King Herod was “deeply disturbed when he heard” from the wise men that there was a “newborn king of the Jews born” and wanted to kill Him, so also there are rulers in this world who want silence or kill His followers. What will you do if that type of persecution comes to you? Are you ready? Because those who want “to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:12).

            These early followers took the matter to our Lord in prayer. They asked Him to consider their threats and to also “grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.” They were not shrinking back because of possible persecution. No, their desire was to speak God’s message given them to speak with all boldness.   They sought to remain faithful to the call of God on their lives even when things might get difficult and the Lord answered their prayer. They “continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” 

            How bold are we in speaking the Word of God to people? Are you sharing God’s Word with people at all? If we cannot share God’s Word boldly in times of peace, then how will we be able to share His Word in times of difficulty? Oh, let us share His Word with those around us. Yes, dear Father, may we be faithful to Your call on our lives and may our prayer be that of those early followers of Yours— to “grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.” Oh, may we speak Your Word with boldness in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son. So be it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBzIt_z8oY