“His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”
- Acts 5:40-42 -

The apostles' public refusal to obey the orders of the Sanhedrin to abstain from preaching in Jesus’ name, stirred the anger of the religious authorities. They could have been sentenced a lifelong imprisonment or even to be killed. Yet with the help of Gamaliel, who was a renowned scholar and respected teacher, the apostles were released. Before releasing them, the Sanhedrin flogged them and warned them not to speak in Jesus' name. What was the apostles' response? Did they depart in terror as a loser? No! They left, rejoicing because they have been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. What would you do in such circumstances? Acts teaches us to persevere hardships. It also teaches us to have an indomitable spirit for the Lord God and His Spirit abides with us.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that we all persevere hardships with an indomitable spirit. I pray for the persecuted church worldwide to persevere hardships. Hallelujah!