Day Sixty: Enable
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30, NIV)
A few weeks ago, I taught a message using the above verses. The driving point was that boldness is needed to persevere through pain to accomplish God’s purpose. However, in reflection, I think I need to clarify what it means to “persevere through pain.” All pain is not equal. The ache of recovery due to surgery is much different than the pain of losing a loved one. Believing God for a speedy recovery takes far less boldness than believing for the resurrection of a family member. Why? There is no greater agony than relational loss.
Jesus knew this and wasn’t without a dynamic resolve. Notice what He says in John 14:27 (NIV), “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Jesus was announcing to His followers that the pain of relational loss was undoubtedly going to come, but that there would be one gift provided that would compensate for the void and bring peace – Holy Spirit. It took Jesus’ death and resurrection to understand what He was saying, but his followers got the picture and never looked back. So, fast forward to the text above when once again, they are facing the potential for loss, and they don’t break or retreat; instead, they pray and turn to Holy Spirit.
“Consider their threats,” cried the disciples. If that were the end of their prayer, we’d miss the hope. Instead, they asked Him to consider and ENABLE. Wow! The vulnerability of that prayer. Please help us, Holy Spirit, to not give up because of the conflict and risk of loss. We need SUPERNATURAL power and peace to move forward. And that my friend is why Jesus gave us Holy Spirit.