An Unseen Force to be Reckoned With!

I am amazed at the fear of so many believers in America today. Certainly, I can understand the reasoning behind that fear with the condition of our world and the ongoing loss of more and more of our freedoms. But, as believers, we need to come to a place where we understand we are not fighting this battle of life alone. We have an unseen force surrounding us that bears to be reckoned with.

Matthew 10 tells us about Jesus sending out His twelve disciples for ministry work. He says this to them:“Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves. Because people will hand you over to sanhedrins and flog you in their synagogues, beware of them. You will even be brought before governors and kings because of Me, to bear witness to them and to the nations. But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you should speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you” (Matthew 10:16-20).

Jesus understood the condition of His world at the time. He understood the perils these men would encounter constantly. He recognized the persecution each would endure for the sake of the gospel. But, He also recognized and encouraged them with the fact that they would never be left alone to carry out this work. He promised them the power of the Holy Spirit would always be right there with them and for them.

It is important to notice that Jesus did not tell them the Holy Spirit would prevent persecution, peril, hardship or any other evil coming against them; rather, He promised that the unseen force of the Holy Spirit would be there manifesting His power in order that the truth of the gospel would be spread.

It has become a common practice among many false teachers and preachers to lead their congregations astray by teaching that GOD protects His people from peril and persecution. The Scripture teaches very plainly that believers will endure persecution, peril and hardships. But, it also teaches that enduring such will not be done without the Spirit’s presence being there with us.

I recall the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7. As his body was being pummeled by the stones, Jesus stood up from His throne in heaven to welcome Stephen home. Stephen was never alone. The Spirit was right there with him and Jesus honored his martyrdom.

You and I have been called to impact our world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The world, as a whole, will not respect what we are doing or saying and many will persecute us for our stand. But, we need not fear what man may say or do because standing right there with us is an unseen force who gives us strength and courage to carry on no matter what those around us may say or do.