August 31

Read: Ephesians 6:18-20

Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word (Acts 4:29). Power Through Courage

Miss _____ was a sanctified young woman. She knew that Christ wanted her to be a witness for Him, but she was timid. As she left on her assignment, tears of fright were in her eyes. She said to her pastor: “I’m scared to death, but this is what I was saved to do, and I’m going to do it!” God gave her power as she exercised her courage.

When we have been saved from our sins and sanctified wholly, there is a natural impulse to share our good news with others. But that first impulse alone is not enough to keep us witnessing for Christ. After the Day of Pentecost there were circumstances that threatened to silence even the 120 who had been filled with the Holy Spirit. But they knew what their Lord had asked them to do. With determination they resolved to witness for Christ. They prayed, “Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.” God answered that prayer. They felt anew the power of the Holy Spirit “and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

Dr. Harold Reed tells of a personal covenant that opened channels for added power to witness. He says: “After receiving the Holy Spirit in my late teens, I made a promise to God that I would give my personal testimony to anyone who spent as much as one half-day with me in work, in travel, or any other association. This promise has been kept with few exceptions across several decades. As a result I have had opportunity to lead a number into the experience of salvation.”

Affirmation For Today

I will, by God’s help, be courageous and give my witness for Christ.