Text: Matthew 10:18-20

 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.   19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak:  for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.   20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.    

Tuesday, 3^rd September 2024

THE WORD OF WISDOM CAN MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH PERSECUTION

Text: Matthew 10:18-20

Memory verse: Exodus 4: 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak.

The Holy Spirit may grant the believer the word of wisdom when answering persecutors. Jesus promised this in Matthew 10:18-20 that ‘you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, 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’.

This gift was manifested in Peter and John as they spoke before the rulers and teachers in Jerusalem. In Acts 4:13, ‘Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus’. The freedom and fluency with which they spoke; for they spoke now from the immediate influence of the Holy Ghost, and their word was with power. They were not brought up in by formal training and they were ignorant men, but in private life, brought up in their occupations or trade alone. Could any of the apostles be called ignorant men? Though their spiritual knowledge came all from heaven, yet in all other matters they seem to have been men of good, sound, strong, and common sense.

It was demonstrated when Stephen confronted the religious leaders in Acts 6:10 ‘But they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke’. He was wise, well exercised, and experienced, in Divine things; and, as it appears by and in his defence, well versed in the Jewish history. The spirit by which he spoke was the Holy Spirit, and its power was irresistible. They were obliged either to yield to his teachings or were confounded by the truth.

The wisdom demonstrated in the energy, power, or passion of Stephen exhibited a spirit of zeal and sincerity which they could not withstand, which served, more than mere argument could have done, to convince them that he was right. The evidence of sincerity, honesty, and zeal in a public speaker.

A valuable lesson is that even if you speak the supernatural wisdom of God there is no guarantee that people will listen to it. The crowd murdered Stephen.

CGDS HYMN 40: SS & S 530:

WITH MY SAVIOUR EVER NEAR TO GUIDE ME

1. With my Saviour ever near to guide me,

I am safe, whatever may betide me;

From the storm and tempest He will hide me

In the hollow of His hand !

Refrain:

In the hollow ... of His hand I . . .

In the hollow ... of His hand I . . .

I am safe whatever may betide me,

In the hollow of His hand !

2. In His arms of love He doth enfold me ;

Words of peace His voice divine hath told me ;

I am safe, for God Himself doth hold me

In the hollow of His hand !

3. He will guard my soul, and leave me never;

From His love no power on earth shall sever;

And I know He'll keep me now and ever

In the hollow of His hand !

 Prayers 

1.  Lord Jesus, in all the persecution I face show me the wisdom in them for me.

2.  LORD God Almighty, I receive the gift of wisdom to operate in all things that concerns men Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.