Speak Up
Everyone was keen to know the answer, but no one was brave enough to ask the question
Reference: Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said… (Acts 13:9 NIV)
Explore: I recently caught up with an old group of friends. After we finished school the four of us tried our best to keep in contact as much as we could. Three of us succeeded.
The strange thing is that a month ago our fourth friend randomly contacted us and said she’d like to catch up again. While we were all intrigued about her reappearance in our lives, we were certainly keen to all get together again.
The conversation flowed freely and it was great to all be together again. At one point I turned to our prodigal friend and asked, “So, what was it that prompted you to reconnect with us?” My other two friends quickly gave our conversation their full attention.
It was then that I realized everyone was keen to know the answer, but no one was brave enough to ask the question.
Application: I’m all for being friendly and socially appropriate, but I think there are times when I shy away from asking the important questions. I can still show respect whilst enquiring about deeper information.
When the Apostle Paul was doing ministry in a foreign place he encountered a sorcerer who was making life difficult for them. I liked how this passage says that Paul was ‘filled with the Holy Spirit and looked straight at Elymas’.
Paul was certainly not one to be backward in coming forward, but it’s not like all his situations were easy. This would have been a great challenge for him, he would not have known it was going to work out perfectly, and yet, he still looked the man straight in the eyes.
The Holy Spirit does not make us shy and timid, but gives us the confidence we need to speak out for God. If you are ever in a situation where you need strength to be heard, call on the Holy Spirit for confidence and determination.
Prayer: Lord, give us the strength and courage to speak up for You. Amen.
Are you needing some confidence in declaring your faith at the moment?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.