by Chad Baron on October 28, 2009
Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. (Acts 9:15,16)
God is speaking to Ananias about Paul. He told Ananias to go lay his hands on Paul so that he would regain his sight (Paul had been blinded by a visitation by Jesus on the road to Damascus). Through his experience on the road to Damascus Paul became a follower of Jesus. One of the fascinating things about Paul becoming a follower of Jesus is that Paul knew the cost. He knew what was probably going to happen to him – that he would be beaten, jailed, and ultimately killed for preaching Jesus. He knew because he had persecuted many Christians already. Yet, knowing the cost he went forward with more zeal than anyone.
We know the cost too. We know some people are going to think we are weird, that we’re fanatics, or that we are nut jobs. Some will write us off as friends and call us mindless idiots. We may be ridiculed openly or it may just be people talking behind our back. We know the cost and it scares us. It scares us into silence. And the cost is nothing compared to what Paul faced. I may not be called an idiot by my friends if I remain silent but what will God call me if I remain silent?
God forgive me for my silence. Give me the opportunity to be bold for you. Amen & amen.
by Chad Baron on October 26, 2009
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name. (Acts 5:41)
And the name is Jesus. The apostles, probably Peter and John, had been imprisoned and beaten then threatened to stop preaching Jesus. When they were released what did they do? Did they throw themselves before God complaining and asking God why he had allowed this hardship to fall upon them? No! They rejoiced.
Rejoice in Your Suffering
Rejoicing isn’t a somber prayer with an insincere or forced thank you to God. Webster defines rejoice as “to feel joy or great delight.” Their suffering was not an occasion to question God; it was a time to praise God for they were sharing in the suffering of Jesus and advancing the kingdom.
Why?
How do we handle suffering today? When things don’t go right, when bad things happen – a death in the family or a lost job – do we praise God and rejoice in our suffering? Do we feel joy or great delight? It is in our suffering where we witness the power of God to overcome. Through suffering He develops character in us. We can rejoice that He has found us worthy to suffer. He loves you enough to bring you through the valley in order to spend time with you developing you into who he wants you to be.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for suffering for us and for bringing me through my own valleys in this life. Amen and amen.
