17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

We have witnessed great persecution of the church ever since Jesus resurrection from the dead.  It was the job of the first Century church to go into all the world and preach the gospel in spite of persecution and hardship. Before the armies of Titus entered Jerusalem the gospel had been published through the principal parts and provinces of the inhabited world. It was certainly a wonderful fact that within 50 years after the death and resurrection of Christ, Christian churches had been planted in almost every district of the earth as then know to the Romans.  Many unfortunately have grown cold, apathetic and dead through the years.

Certainly, the first Christians and many in generations that followed took their mission very seriously. We see how discrimination was carried out. In Acts 4 we read of Apostles Peter and John being arrested, thrown into prison and brought before the Sanhedrin.  In Acts 5 laid their hands on the apostle and put them in common prisons and brought them before the council.  Acts 12 laid many stripes on Paul and Silas, Paul appeared before Ananias, Felix Agrippa and also before Nero and was talked about being in the household of Caesar. They were called to endurance, but also excitement because God saw to it that the message would go to all people and before rulers and leaders.

Throughout history the Christian church has been persecuted. You are not to be deceived thinking we will never be touched. Regardless of what age you live in, the emphasis of this passage is to be prepared for trouble. It bothers me that many Christians cannot stand up under the typical troubles all people have. What about the added trouble that we will have because we are Christians? Do we also trust the strength of the Holy Spirit?

Prayer:   Father, I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.   Teach me how to bring all troubles to Your throne of grace and receive Thy strength that I may stand up strongly against the enemy.