Acts 5:41-42 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Two things stand out about this: they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor – and quite painfully at that – and they continued to do precisely what they had been beaten for. This goes back to what they said to the Sanhedrin: “We must obey God rather than men.” (verse 28) We tend to want the easy road, but Jesus cautioned us very strongly: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) Our priority needs to be the kingdom of God and His righteousness, (Matthew 6:33) rather than anything this world can give us, either tangible or intangible. In America today, strict and open obedience to God can lead to various “social costs,” but in some places in the world it can lead to active persecution and even martyrdom. It is only when we “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14) that we can both endure and rejoice in all we encounter here.

To me, this raises the question of how have I suffered for my obedience to God? I don’t think I have, particularly. I have had rough spots in my life, but who hasn’t? On the contrary, I feel like I have been blessed incredibly, and honored in the process. I am grateful, but have I really done all that God wanted me to do? The lesson to me is that I must not be slack in doing whatever God asks of me. I believe God has told me to write my autobiography, but I have hardly been diligent in my follow-through. Recently He has been giving me opportunities to evangelize, and sometimes those are inconvenient. That I would complain about inconvenience in something like that! I am to focus on my Lord and His kingdom, serving Him with all that I have and am, because He is more than worthy of my total devotion, just as He was for these apostles.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for Your incredible grace toward me. As my father did before me, I can certainly claim Psalm 16:6. “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” May I be the steward You want me to be of all that You have poured out on me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!