Bible Reading: Esther 3-5; Acts 5:22-42.
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” – Acts 5:29 (KJV).
Our Lord, Jesus warned His disciples that they will be persecuted for His name’s sake. But he did not leave them empty, He empowered them with the Holy Ghost so that they can effectively witness for Him. They were straightly charged to spread the gospel both in Jerusalem and surrounding areas first, then to the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Anytime God gives a commandment the enemy goes to work. The apostles were imprisoned for carrying out God’s orders (preaching in Jerusalem), but were freed by an angel who charged them to continue the work. The high priest told them in Acts 5:29, “ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine…” which is a proof that they obeyed Our Lord. It is no different today, whenever Christians stand up to express their faith the world frowns at it.
The Holy Ghost and angels are still with us today. The opposition appears to be getting fiercer than ever, but the good news is that Jesus Christ is still the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). If He protected and delivered the Apostles and men of old He will do same today.
Your Jerusalem is your immediate environment. Like the Apostles, we must spread the gospel beginning from where we are at the moment.
Prayer: Father, thank you for the presence of Your Spirit and Your angels in our harvest fields.