Counted Worthy to Suffer

Acts 5:40-42

...and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

After being questioned by the high priest and the council, the apostles were resolutely declaring, We must obey God rather than men. As their declaration continued, the apostles flat-out accused the council of hanging Jesus on a tree. They went on to say that God had raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him as Leader and Savior. In unison, they all declared that they were witnesses of the events that they were now describing. Of course, the council was enraged. They wanted to kill these men.Then Gamaliel spoke. He reminded them of all the messiahs they had endured in the past. They came and then they always went. His advice was wait.  If it be of God, it will be. If not it will soon pass. The council took his advice, and after beating the apostles, charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus.

Were the apostles tempted to stop speaking of Jesus? No, instead they were rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name. What an attitude! God had turned a negative experience into a divine positive. It seemed to be the fuel that further ignited their hearts and spirits. They were every day speaking of Jesus in the temple and house to house. They did not cease! What an example for believers today! What would my response be if the heavy came down on me? Would I be rejoicing? Would the name of Jesus be the words of my daily conversation?

Father,
Prepare my heart so that I can be strong for You, so that I will always speak the name of Jesus. Fill me with Your grace and Spirit. Use me to share the name of Jesus.
In His name,
Amen