God teaches us courage and reliance upon the Spirit. He teaches us to look up in hard times.

First, must be saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.” If we are not, then God’s wrath comes upon us! If we are, and we realize it by the power of the Spirit, then we are bold. He makes us see the PRECIOUSNESS of Christ, so we can preach Him. He makes us stand for Jesus.

Peter and John were cowardly a few weeks earlier. The difference? The Holy Spirit came.

Acts 4:8-10, "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well."

Peter didn’t back up or mince words. He wasn’t seeking common ground. He proclaimed the name of the One whom God raised from the dead, because he saw Him by faith. He had spiritual encouragement inside himself. He was made what he couldn’t be any other way.

False bravado is harsh, arrogant, and proud. True grace makes a person bold and gentle, loving and fearless. Oh, we need some of this true goodness in us today.

Let us cry out to God for the Spirit, rather than cowering. We are not cornered. God is on our side!

Secondly, we cannot help but speak what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:18-20, "So they called for them and ordered them not to preach or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, 'Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.'”

When it comes by revelation in power and might, then we’ll stand for it [Gal 1:15-16]. Nothing can make us quit, when we see Christ. Faith brings forth her fruit. Matthew 13:23, "But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some 100, some 60, some 30 times what was sown.” God told Moses that he’d worship Him on the Mountain as evidence of his calling, and we speak boldly as evidence the Spirit is with us [Exodus 3:12]!

It doesn’t matter what men say, nor does it matter who we offend. We are not trying to be cruel. We've been commissioned. We received a command from God. Surely, it's right to obey Him rather than man - the One who gives us joy, power, and peace… the One who rules the world and has eternity in His hands… the One who saved us by the agony of His Son… the One who rewards obedience and raises the dead… the One who is true, just, and loving. Surely, we ought to obey God.

What can man do for us? Human praise is short lived, it can't please God, and it can’t satisfy us. No, we must serve God. Let every other person decide, but our mind is made up!

Thirdly, God’s given us the proper response to persecution: We go to Him. Acts 4:29-30, "And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness, while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

We are not relying upon sinners! Our hope is not in legislation. We want to be obedient to God more than ever, now that He has been challenged. When Sennachrib troubled Hezekiah, Israel’s God interposed Himself, saying,

Isaiah 37:28-29, “But I know your sitting down, your going out and your coming in, and your raging against Me. Because your raging against Me and your arrogance have reached My ears, I will put My hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth; I will make you go back the way you came."

God will get in the battle, when His cause is challenged [Acts 4:25-27]! Look up, child of God! Don’t look around you. Don’t look to the left or the right. Ask God for MORE STRENGTH, and He will give it. Handle persecution wisely!