In Acts chapter three, a lame man at the gate called Beautiful received his healing. Peter and John had stood before him and Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. He took the lame man's hand, pulled him up, and the man's ankle bones were made strong. Peter told all who witnessed the miracle that it wasn't because he was an apostle that that man was healed, but by Jesus' name through faith in His name. The priests and Sadducees, scribes and elders were grieved that the men taught about Jesus and preached in His name, so they threw Peter and John into prison for a night. (I assume to scare them into not mentioning the Name of Jesus again to the people. But of course, that didn't work.)
The next day, they threatened Peter and John, told them not to speak to the people about Jesus, and let them go. The apostles went to their own company and told them what the chiefs and elders had said. They decided to pray. Firstly, I'd like you to notice what they did in this time of trial. They didn't sit around wondering what should be done, they didn't start whining about how they're always being picked on because they're Christians. No. They get together and they pray. This is what should be done in the midst of a trial. We should come before God and seek His wisdom on what should be done about the situation. At times, this is hard. Sometimes you just want to go to somebody and tell them who did you wrong so they can make you feel better. I've been criminal to that as well. But that doesn't mean it's the right thing for a Christian to do. We need to seek God first.
Now secondly, I want you to notice how they pray. They say in Acts 4:29-And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word. These people did not ask God to take the bad situation away from them. They said, You see it Lord, but . . .What they asked was for the Lord to give them the power or ability to overcome the situation and go through it for His glory. When they prayed, the Holy Spirit shook they place where they stood, filled them and gave them exactly what they asked for. The ability to speak the Word of God boldly.
When I read this, I think of the 23rd Psalm. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me." Jesus never said we wouldn't have tribulation. But He did say to be of good cheer, for He's overcome. We need to stop wasting our time pleading to God to take away our bad situations and start praying in faith, believing that He will give us the power and ability to get through it. And not just to get through it, but to overcome it, for His glory. My friends, the Body of Christ is a people born from God to overcome. We weren't made to be trampled upon by Satan and what he tries to put on us. We were made to triumph.
People say Christians are weak. Well, that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Christian people who walk by faith are the strongest people there are. We have the Spirit of the living God on the inside of us. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. The same Spirit that gave the apostles of the early church the boldness to defy the ones who were against them and serve their God with gladness even when things weren't going so pretty.
Children of God are not wimps. We are soldiers in the army of Almighty God and we win. The Word of God states that He always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. We should always win every battle the devil throws at us. When Jesus said love those who hate you and be good to those who persecute you, He wasn't saying be a weak little thing. He was saying when you walk in the love of God and choose that love over meanness, you're showing strength. Anyone can go off on someone when they're angry. But when you can choose to stay in the love of God, that shows discipline.
My fellow soldiers, we are stronger than the world because of Jesus. Step into your role today and decide that you're going through your battles, not trying to find a way out. Stand in faith, stand in the full armor of God. Refuse to quit. And even if it looks like nothing is happening and you've done all you know, continue to stand. Pray the prayer of faith. Pray what the apostles prayed. Ask God for the ability and receive the power the Spirit wants to give you. Be a conqueror.
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