Why Believers Must Heed to the Psalm 81:10 Call for This Hour

The findings of a recent Cato Institute survey, released July 22, 2020, have been the subject of a number of news reports. One of the biggest headlines from this poll is that 62% of Americans say they have political views they’re too afraid to share.

And what is their fear about? People have learned only too well that they can lose their job, personal property, safety, money and a variety of other things if what they say or espouse doesn’t meet the approval of some majority. At this time in America, it appears free speech is rapidly slipping from our hands.

But never has there been a time when it is truly comfortable to stand up and speak about what you believe in. Always there has been opposition and the pressing need for Spirit-filled, bold people to speak up.

Imagine if Esther had ignored her cousin Mordecai’s plea to intervene for the Jewish people (Esth. 4:14). Haman’s wicked plot would have come to pass and there would have been a slaughter of the Jews in Persia during Xerxes’ reign.

What would have happened if Peter and John, after healing the crippled man at the beautiful gate, had decided to stop speaking of the resurrection, fearing the same Sanhedrin that had condemned Jesus and turned him over to Pontius Pilate? How would the explosion and the multiplication of the Christian faith have occurred if the disciples had not remained bold and utterly devoted to their mission?

After being threatened by this group of Jewish elders to go and teach no more in the name of Jesus, Peter and John replied, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot help but declare what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). And all the disciples gathered to pray for even more holy boldness.

This kind of bravery has been displayed through the ages by countless Christians who, filled with the Spirit, would not let the enemy work through people to silence them.

If there were ever a time to speak up, it is now in this era of “cancel culture” and of the arbitrary opening of some businesses while suppressing churches.

For more on losing the fear of man and being a bold and outspoken follower of Christ, listen to this episode of Rooted by the Stream. {eoa}