Tuesday, July 31, 2018
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."
COURAGE
What a Friend we have in Jesus! When they brought a paralyzed man to Him, that poor man did not have much of a future, but Jesus spoke a cheering word: "Take heart [be of good cheer], son! Your sins are forgiven" (Matthew 9:2).
And that time on His way to the home of Jairus, a matter of life and death, Jesus took the time to say to a frightened woman: "Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you" (Matthew 9:22). When His disciples were terrified to see Him walking to them on the water through a storm, He said, "Take heart! It is I. Do not be afraid" (Matthew 14:27).
And the night before that stormy day of crucifixion, He comforted His disciples saying, "In this world you will have trouble; but take heart, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Now this same Lord stands near Paul in the night of discouragement and says, "Take heart! You think your efforts here have all failed, but you have testified about me in Jerusalem. That is all I called you to do. So you must also testify in Rome."
This is also how He speaks to us too, isn't it? Judging from the response we sometimes get, we often might say we have failed. But the Lord sees the whole picture. He lets us know: My Word that you take to others is true. It will be vindicated in the resurrection; your labor is not in vain.
In the darkest night I will be with you, and the best day is yet to come! Take heart!
