Being Bold in the Face of Opposition
(S) Scripture
Acts 4:29 (NASB77)
29 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy word with all confidence,
(O) Observation
The religious authorities have arrested Peter and John. The authorities cannot find them guilty of a crime so they release Peter and John but commanded them to stop preaching Jesus to the people. The disciples ask for confidence and boldness to speak God's Word in the face of opposition by those in authority. It seems that the religious authorities did not want any preaching of Jesus in the public square.
(A) Application
It seems that there are those in our country that are bent in removing any talk of Jesus and faith in Him from the public discourse. There are threats of lawsuits and boycotts that have been called for. Just a couple of years ago a group entered a church to disrupt the worship service because they didn't like the church's stance on their particular issue. We hear a great deal about the separation of church and state, a concept that I support. I do not think the church or state should have control over the other. When it has happened in history it has corrupted both the church and state. This separation does not mean the separation of faith and state. In the face of this kind of opposition it is important for me to continue to trust God for strength and protection and to preach with boldness and confidence. Those both come only as a result of walking by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. Today I ask like Peter and John to speak God's Word with confidence.
(P) Prayer
Father, let me know your strength, protection and power in the face of all opposition so that I might preach your word with boldness and confidence. Amen
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