Fearless Confidence

Reading: Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1-2; Acts 4 29 “And now they’re at it again! Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message, 30 as you stretch out your hand to us in healings and miracles and wonders done in the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence. (Acts 4:29-31 MSG) Now it begins! Just a couple of months after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, soon after the Holy Spirit was given on Pentecost, the pressure begins. The Jewish ruling Sadducee party reacted to the believers’ message that Jesus was alive again after death. The rest of the ruling council was concerned that this new and powerful message would upset the fragile relationship that existed between the Jewish system and the Roman government. Peter and John were arrested, brought before the Sanhedrin, and threatened for their healing and their preaching. When they were released, they quickly found other Christ-followers gathered and initiated a prayer meeting. The thing that most caught my attention is the tone and topic of their prayer:
• They worshipped.
• They interpreted current events in light of scripture.
• They affirmed God’s plan in what was happening.
• They asked for fearless confidence to be faithful in spite of the opposition.
• God answered with his power and his presence.
• They were bold in the face of opposition and persecution! What about me? Facing opposition, threatened with beating and imprisonment, right on the heels of the murder of my leader, what would I pray for? I’m afraid my inclination would be to pray for safety for me and my family or for judgment on my persecutors. That’s not how I want to be! I want to be a Christ-follower who would pray for fearless confidence. Prayer:

Father, I want to be more concerned about the Kingdom than about my own comfort and safety. I often get bogged down in detail. I need a fresh vision of the Kingdom of God. Please help me to be fearlessly confident as I face challenges, obstacles, and opposition. By your grace! Amen.