TUESDAY January 17, 2023

Grant to Us Boldness

“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:29-31

In the face of persecution, the believers prayed for God to watch over them. They did not get bitter, but in prayer asked specifically for boldness. They needed the Lord to give them even more power and boldness to preach the Gospel, despite all those who had come against them.

While in prayer, an earthquake shook the place, and the Holy Spirit came upon the believers once again. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and received boldness to speak the Word of God even more powerfully. Persecution brought unity and church growth to the believers.

When Paul the Apostle was persecuted, he described to believers in Corinth the reality of being a Christian in a world opposed to Christ:

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh (2 Corinthians 4:8-11).

We still live in a world opposed to Christ. If we are to be bold witnesses for Jesus Christ, then we need to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit so we can witness to anybody. Then we will be empowered to share the Gospel with holy boldness. So many people from all over the world––all different nationalities––remain open to the Gospel.

The power to proclaim the greatest news in heaven or on earth was not given to angels. It was given to redeemed men… Every Christian is to be a witness; every follower of Christ is to preach the Gospel.
~Billy Graham~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!