Boldness

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. (Acts 4:29-30)

When most believers come face to face with opposition, the prayers they pray are usually for their protection and safety. The early church faced severe persecution, even death threats, for preaching the Gospel. Yet, their prayer was not for safety but rather it was for boldness. The Greek word for boldness here is parrhesia, which means openness, frankness, and public confidence. They were not concerned with self-preservation; they were focused on proclaiming the Word with power.

Their faith was rooted in God’s promises, and they reminded themselves that God reigns despite the opposition of rulers and nations. Instead of shrinking back in fear, the disciples asked for even greater courage to declare the gospel. This shows us that true faith does not retreat but rather it advances. They understood that the Gospel was offensive to those who rejected it, but they were unwilling to compromise. Their prayer was not for circumstances to change but for their response to be strengthened.

The disciples prayed not only for boldness in speech but also for God’s power to be demonstrated through healings, signs, and wonders. The phrase "stretching forth thine hand to heal" reflects their dependence on God to move supernaturally. Signs and wonders validated their message and confirmed that Jesus was the risen Messiah. Miracles were never about spectacle but about revealing God’s kingdom in power.

Practical Application

When facing opposition, keep in mind that the same God who performed signs and wonders in the early church continues to work today. Ask the Holy Spirit for greater boldness to express your faith out loud, even in times of adversity. Anticipate healings, miracles, signs, and wonders to be done through your life.

Acts 4:13; Acts 14:3

God Has Your Back

I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? (Psalm 118:5-6)

Have you ever felt surrounded by trouble, unsure how you would make it through? The Psalmist in Psalm 118 said God answered him in the midst of trouble. God is faithful to protect, guide, and save. No matter the opposition we face, we must remind ourselves that “God is on my side.” That phrase is not just a statement—it’s a mindset we are called to adopt with a posture of faith. When we embrace that revelation, fear loses its grip, and we gain the confidence to stand firm on God’s promise regardless of the problems or threats against us.

Notice that the Psalmist did not deny the existence of trouble, but instead chose to focus on the power of God. Don’t allow yourself to be intimidated by the enemy's attacks. When you trust the Lord, you remain unshaken by the enemy's tricks. Calling on the Lord in times of trouble recalibrates our souls. We are not called to shrink back in the face of opposition, but to trust in the God who fights for us.

Remember that God has your back no matter what you face today. Stand in faith, knowing that no man, circumstance, situation, or enemy can defeat you when you put yourself in God’s hands and live according to His Word. Let this confidence change the way you pray, think, and live.

Practical Application

When you experience fear, say out loud, “God has my back.” Reminding yourself that God is for you will give you the courage to step out in faith despite opposition and trouble.

Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 56:4

Don’t Panic

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? (Acts 4:24-25)

Every Christian has faced a moment when they encountered resistance for standing firm in their faith. Perhaps it was their belief in healing, or maybe it was their insistence on speaking the truth while those around them accepted lies. Persecution is a part of what we endure when we stand for God’s Word.

In Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested and threatened for speaking and healing in Jesus’ name. How did the church respond when they heard such news? When faced with threats and attacks, they didn’t react with retaliation, fear, or cowardice. Instead, they raised their voices first in prayer, seeking to understand the situation from God’s perspective. Immediately following that, they began to quote the Word of God, referencing Psalm 2, and acknowledging that opposition against God and His people was nothing new.

Acts 4:24-25 teaches us a powerful principle: when believers encounter opposition, we should respond by using the Word of God. The early church didn’t dwell on the threats against them; instead, they focused on God’s victorious truth. Praying the Word aligns our hearts with God’s will and fills us with boldness.

When trials arise, we can learn from the early church. They didn’t panic—they prayed. They didn’t argue—they aligned with God’s Word. They didn’t shrink back—they boldly proclaimed God’s truth.

Practical Application

Regardless of the difficulty you face, pray the Word of God. When you feel intimidated or inferior, pray the Word of God. When challenges seem insurmountable, pray the Word of God. Praying the Word changes your perspective, enhances your power, summons angels to assist, and positions you for great things.

Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 2:1