Speak Up, For The Lord Is With You

June 25, 2021

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

~Acts 18:9‭-‬10~

All too often I come across the same senario of fellow brothers and sisters being too nervous to say what they truely believe, act according to what the Spirit leads or walk in the faith in which we are speaking of. Paul came to grips with who He was in Christ and the Lord comforted him through the journey. Paul's calling wasn't necessarily easy, I know too well of this myself, yet he made the choice to obey. The Lord's warning to Paul was a friendly reminder that what so ever the Lord has Paul say he is instructed to courageously speak it. Again, I can relate to this message as a follower of Christ. Jesus has been known to use me to speak in a place that others just did not approve of. Following the Lord is total submission to Him. We are not going to be loved by everyone; "Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you." (I John 3:13)

Is there something we are finding ourselves

holding our tounge to when Jesus is telling us to speak up? Are we hesitating because we believe it is all our flesh when Christ is telling us to walk by faith? Paul endured much rejection for Christ, are we willing to?

The Lord modeled a life of following God's will and knowing God requires tapping into the Spirit; "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

(John 4:24)

Are we finding ourselves worshipping in truth or are we wavering back and forth to please those who may be in front of us?

Let us remember that the Lord sees everything, He keeps watch on all things.

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good."

(Proverbs 15:3)

When Paul went along on his journey he trusted in each step he took as he knew and believed that the Lord was with him and nothing would keep him from fulfilling the plan Christ had for him. Paul pushed on and so should we. The Lord gave His life for us to walk beside Him and declare His victory. Are we willing to truely declare or are we afraid to? "Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing." (Psalms 107:22)

We can rejoice even in the midst of speaking things that may be rough around the edges for others. The Lord is faithful to bring us through these moments. He tells us that in all places He brings us there will be others that He has who will be in agreement, for He has people in all places. We must not be concerned with what the enemy will use to throw at us, or who for that matter. Jesus has eyes in all places. The persecution Paul endured was consistent, for his message stirred up the evil in people. His life was threatened, he was beaten and drove out of places. There was much planted in his walk to cause fear and discouragement yet Jesus was assuring him he would be okay, for He was on Paul's side, just as He is on ours today; "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

(Psalms 118:6)

Jesus will never leave us. Jesus will never forsake us, yet people will. Let us speak up and not be afraid to. Let us really believe in Jesus. We live in a moment in time where speaking up in the faith is our only cure for such suppression. It is time to dive in fully with our Lord and not be scared to. For when we do, the blessing will always outweigh the tribulation. Do not be afraid my brothers and my sisters. Jesus is for you and there are many others who are backing you in this fight. The ones who are not will see soon.

Prayer:

Lord God, thank you for being my armor each day and my guide in this winding road of a walk. I know that I can always trust and rely on You to be there for me. Remind me to speak every word You give me without thinking twice of doing so. The growth You have brought me to I choose to honor only You in. For no human can do what You have. I am praising You in the times of tribulations just as Paul did for I have no need to fear. Thank you for the support You have sent my way, for those who truely do believe and look out for me. For those who are the devils pawns, I pray for them to see and hear. I pray for their safety and clarity. Your work is always perfect and I know in time all that I do for You will make sense. I rest in You. I am not afraid to speak up, I pray my brothers and my sisters will not be as well. In the Name of our Savior and Redeemer of all fear, Jesus Christ. Amen.