(Acts 4:29, 31) "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Do you ever feel like your tongue gets tied in knots when you have to speak in a situation that is somewhat intimidating? Maybe it’s at an office meeting or business presentation. It could be when you’re trying to express your feelings with someone you care about. Sometimes we feel this way when we desire to share our faith in Christ with others. You feel like something is holding you back and when you do share, you go home and analyze it to death and tell yourself you said the wrong thing and probably blew it for good. This is a common experience for most of us, no doubt, but we have to ask ourselves is there a solution to this witnessing disability?
Look at the disciples in their situation. Peter and John had just been arrested and before they were released they were threatened to never speak in the name of Jesus again. Wouldn’t that be intimidating? What did they do? They went back to the church prayer meeting and agreed with the believers in prayer to have boldness to speak the Word of God no matter the cost. The Lord heard their prayer and the power of God fell on the people assembled and their tongues were loosed to speak God’s word with boldness.
Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, had a similar experience. His tongue was tied for a long time but when He obeyed God his tongue was loosed and he spoke praise to God and all the people were blown away at how this formerly silent man was letting it loose for the Lord. (Luke 1:59-80)
May the Lord give us all holy boldness to speak the things we must speak and do it with freedom of speech, with great assurance and confidence that what we have to say is important and led by God.
(Psa 51:15) O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
Louie