Acts 23
Psalm 45
11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
Acts 23:11
Jesus comes to Paul and personally says to him, “Take courage!”
When it comes to speaking about Jesus to the people we know and meet we really need to hear this encouraging word from Jesus; “Take courage!”
In every day conversations, at work and with family we need to do as Jesus commands and, “take courage!” Are you shy or you think that evangelism is not your gift? Then, “Take courage!”
Paul encourages us in Romans 10 to share the good news about Jesus as he did, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:13-17)
Jesus expected Paul to continue speaking about His death and resurrection for sinners even when facing persecution. Jesus expects the same of us and He is the One to who will strengthen us in this task. Christ’s words echo across the ages and still say to you and me, today, “Take courage!”
God has a sovereign plan to preach the Gospel of Jesus through His people and He controls the end of the story.