When confronted with persecution and opposition to everything that he believed, to the revealed word that he believed he had been sent by the Lord to declare, Paul did not ask the Lord to remove it. Instead, He asked for the boldness to continue to speak and declare that that had been revealed to him.
Eph 6.19 And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel), 20For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do
After much opposition and persecution in Jerusalem, God had high expectations on Paul, he told him to go on and do the same in Rome, to declare His truth, His glory and his goodness to the people in Rome.
Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."
The night before Paul sails for Rome, God whispers something to Him.
Act 27:22 Now I advise you to have courage. No one will lose his life. Only the ship will be destroyed. (The next verse is now on the boat during the storm) vs. 25 So have courage, men! I trust God that everything will turn out as he told me.
The verse above is strong. Paul tells his team to be calm because “everything will turn out as God told him”. Today I remind you the same, take courage for everything will turn out as God told you in the beginning. Regardless of how crazy it appears today!
(Paul Remembers When He Was With the Thessalonians) 1Th 2:2 As you know, we suffered rough and insulting treatment in Philippi. But our God gave us the courage to tell you his Good News in spite of strong opposition.
In my view this is the epitome of courage, that when confronted with opposition to the truth you believe, you ask the lord for the courage to still stand. In this season, stand on the revealed promise of God over your life. Stand on the prophetic word that was declared over you by the elders. Wage war according to this word.
Refuse to focus on the bad report, and choose to focus on the reality of God’s promises in His word. May God grant you the strength to remain true to yourself, and to Him even when it is difficult!
You read this today because He wants you to know that He is with you through this process. And that EVERYTHING will turn out as he said in the beginning. He is faithful to complete the GOOD work that He began in you.
