Finding the Courage to Speak

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision: 'Do not be afraid but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you.’ (Acts 18:9-10)

Read: Acts 18:1-11; Jer. 1:6-8, 17; Ezek. 2:5-7; Acts 5:20

What Is God Saying?

Paul was always at the battlefront. He didn't wait until all the conditions were favorable before giving testimony to his faith (II Cor. 11:23-29). In this instance, while many responded to his earnest message, others in the synagogue wanted him out. The Jews were offended and became so abusive that Paul left. What was he going to do? It was one of the many crises in Paul's life. It was a crossroads. He wouldn't give up. That was out of the question, but could he do his best here? As it turned out, Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth teaching the Word of God. The reason: a vision the Lord spoke of obedience and trust. Paul obeyed. In a vision, the Lord said to Paul one night, ‘Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city.’

How Does This Apply To Us?

What makes us afraid to speak when it is most necessary? Do we want to please men or God? When God gives the command to speak, He will supply the words. Remember the words of Jesus? ‘When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.’

Being afraid to speak is a common affliction. Fear that we might say the wrong thing in the wrong way, fear that when it comes out, it will sound silly, fear that what we say will be taken wrong, fear that we will lose a friend. The best antidote for fear is a fervent love of God and love for others. ‘Perfect love casts out fear,’ especially the fear of speaking the truth to tell others how much God loves them. If anything should unseal our lips and make us eager to speak, it is that, but it isn't always easy. Sometimes in love, we must speak a truth that hurts, a truth that has to hurt if it is going to help. To say the hard word when it is easier to be silent, we need extra help. That help comes from knowing that God has promised to be with us. When it takes courage to speak, we can call upon the Lord to be with us. That is what changes fearful and hesitant testimony into glad and confident sharing.

Pray With Me

Your constant, conquering, comforting presence is the secret of fearless testimony. Teach me to trust in that fact. Help me not to look around for anything else to prop me up. I will receive the encouragement to speak in Your presence. By Your presence, I will even receive the words to speak. ‘Do not be silent; for I am with you.’ Yes, Lord, I have found this to be true.

• Fear seals my lips; faith opens them.

• Fear makes me stammer; truth makes me stand.

• Fear makes me stumble; faith makes me strong.

• Fear makes me a coward; faith makes me a conqueror.

‘Do not be afraid, but speak.’

Lord, in Your perfect love cast out all fear. Why should I be afraid to offer a remedy? Why should I hesitate to bring someone good news? Why should I hold back from telling someone in pain and distress that there is a solution? Why should I be timid about turning men's thoughts toward You so that they may find perfect and permanent peace? Why should I falter in speaking about a Savior and a friend who invites all of us to leave the ways of darkness and death, and love the ways of light and life? Why should I be silent when to speak is to bless? Why?

I can think of only one reason. I have not always been aware of Your presence. I have not always appreciated Your presence. I have not always wanted Your presence. Come to me in the beauty and strength of the risen Christ, O God, and ever abide. Then I will put aside all frightened silence and receive the gift of enlightened speech.

To the glory of Jesus Christ, Your living, perfect, eloquent Word. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

Pray for a more constant awareness of God's Presence. He is always with us in the Post Office, in the bank, at a service club, and in a Sunday School class. Always, yes, always God hears the inaudible prayer, but others need to learn of His love through audible words fearlessly spoken and through the convincing evidence of a consistent life. His love gives us a reason to speak. His Presence gives us the power to speak.