The Voice That Opposition Cannot Silence

Sakes alive, friend, I am real glad you came meanderin’ on up here to this ol’ front porch for a little ol’ visit today. I was just watching a chipmunk that was tryin’ to haul off a whole biscuit like it was plum preparin’ for winter over in the next county, and I thought, “Well, now that there is some real commitment.” Nothin’ distracted that ol’ critter from his little task at hand. Not the wind. Not the dog. Not even me tappin’ my foot on the porch rail. And right then it hit me. That there’s exactly the kind of tough grit the apostles had in Acts 5:42, where it says, “They kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”

When the early church started growin’, the religious leaders tried real hard to git it shut down faster than an ol’ farmer slams the gate when an onery ol’ mule tries to escape. They said in Acts 5:28, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name.” But Peter didn’t even blink. He said in Acts 5:29, “We must obey God rather than men.” That there’s some mighty stiff obedience with its boots laced real tight. Romans 13 tells us to obey government, but not when it contradicts God’s Word. When man says hush and God says speak, we speak.

The leaders were so furious they wanted to kill the apostles. But Gamaliel stepped in and said in Acts 5:39, “If this is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.” That there’s Proverbs 21:30 in living color. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.

So, instead of killing ‘em, they flogged them real good and told ‘em to hush up. But those apostles plum went and walked away rejoicin’ that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. And then they went right back to preachin’ the gospel in Jesus’ name. Every day. Everywhere. Like holy trick candles that relight no matter how hard you git to tryin’ to blow ‘em out.

Father, give me courage like that. Help me obey You when the world pushes back. Make me bold, joyful, and faithful. Let my life speak Your name with love and conviction. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Friend, before you head off to your next stopping point, tuck this here truth way down deep into your heart that this here ol’ world may try to quiet your faith the way a lil’ ol’ raccoon tries to sneak off with a whole loaf of bread, but God’s message just can’t ever be muzzled. Trouble may git to risin’ like a thundercloud rollin’ in right over a hayfield, yet the Spirit inside you stands a whole lot taller than any ol’ storm ever could. When pressure comes, let your obedience shine brighter, not dimmer. And when someone tries to blow out your flame, smile real big and let the fire of Christ git to sparkin’ right on back to life.

With joy,

Gwen