Finding JOY in ridicule...

For my friend, Jessica:

I was reading through Acts 5 and 6 today.  I was just going to read through chapter 5, but the Holy Spirit prompted me to keep going.

This chapter takes place during the time the apostles whom Jesus left on earth to carry forth the good news are going crazy telling people about how Jesus is the Messiah, and how there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved.  Verse 17 introduces an interesting story.  The high priest and sadducees are laden with jealousy at the apostles for winning so many people in the name of Jesus.  Thus, they order the apostles to be thrown into prison.  The angel of the Lord comes and releases them from prison and instructs them to keep spreading God's word, so the apostles go to the temple and begin proclaiming God's word to the people.  The high council contemplated killing the apostles; however, one of their members advised against it.  Therefore, in verses 40-41, the apostles are "merely" flogged and sent on their way!

Verse 41 reads, "The apostles left the high council REJOICING that God had COUNTED THEM WORTHY to suffer DISGRACE for the name of JESUS."

I know that getting ridiculed for your faith or being asked difficult "in your face" faith questions can be difficult.  (Believe me, being a people-pleaser myself, I find one of the most difficult concepts in scripture to accept is that we WILL be ridiculed and persecuted for our faith).  However, I do have a word of encouragement for you!

The footnotes in my Bible talk about this verse.  I don't always read the footnotes, because I like to interpret scripture myself.  But this particular verse so piqued an interest within me, that I could not help but seek additional reflection.

"Have you ever thought of persecution as a blessing, as something worth rejoicing about?  This beating suffered by Peter and John was the first time any of the apostles had been physically abused for their faith.  These men knew how Jesus had suffered, and they praised God that he had allowed them to be persecuted like their Lord.  If you are mocked or persecuted for your faith, it isn't because you're doing something wrong but because God has counted you 'worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus!' "

Wow, Jessica!  How encouraging is that?!  That is for you today!  God counts you WORTHY!  Woo-hoo! 

Remember He is with you every step of the way to give you His words of wisdom.  Remember that He will grant our prayer requests if they are in agreement with His will!  All we need to do is pray for His wisdom and guidance to show Him to others, and He will surely grant our request, for that is our purpose here on earth.  I thought that was so cool.  I hope that encourages you...