Week 34 (17 - 23 Aug): Take Courage

At last Saturday’s Home Fellowship, we looked at Acts 23. Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin, where the Sadducees and Pharisees were waiting to persecute him. The Sadducees and Pharisees represented divisions within the Jewish religious leadership. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection, angels and spirits, while the Sadducees rejected these beliefs, revealing major and fundamental theological disagreements.

Despite being persecuted, and even to the extent of risking his life, Paul never stepped down or stepped away from the calling God had placed on his life. Instead, he used the opportunity to reiterate the fundamental truth of his faith. In Acts 23:6, he declared, “I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”

Some shared that they have friends who are believers but do not believe in the Holy Spirit. A question was raised: Should we simply walk away to avoid conflict, or should we stand up and share boldly?

1 Corinthians 2:4 says, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.”

Instead of walking away to avoid conflict, one brother in the group shared that we can ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us how we can help the person we are speaking to encounter and understand the Holy Spirit. Paul did not remain silent about the central truth of the resurrection. At the same time, he did not resort to attacking those who disagreed with him. He identified the truth that mattered and stood firmly on it.

The verse that spoke most to me that night was verse 11: “Take courage.”

Paul’s courage came from trusting and surrendering himself to God, knowing that God’s purpose would prevail no matter how difficult the situation became. He knew that the Lord was with him. In fact, verse 11 says that “the Lord stood near Paul.” The Lord also told him that he “must also testify in Rome.”

Yet the Lord did not reveal how Paul was going to get out of Jerusalem and eventually reach Rome. This reminds me that we do not need to know everything about the journey in order to trust the One who knows the destination.

Over the last week, we also had ZCDX and Kampung Kakis—two gatherings over a span of four days. It was a good time of coming together, and God is good. He is faithful, and His hands are in what we are doing.

A number of residents who attended ZCDX also turned up for Kampung Kakis, which was very encouraging to me. When we first started these gatherings, we did not know where they would lead or what they would eventually become. But as we trust in the Lord and co-labour with Him, I am learning to take courage and keep pressing in, trusting that these gatherings will bear fruit in the days to come.

Prayer:

Lord, there is always so much to learn from Your Word. As we read Your Word and put it into practice, I pray that You will continue to draw us closer and take us deeper into a relationship with You.

There is a longing in our lives that only You can satisfy.

In the week ahead and in the days to come, may You always be near us to guide our steps. Give us the courage to stand firm in what You have called us to do, even when we cannot see the whole journey ahead. Help us to trust that Your purposes will prevail.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.