June 6 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Acts 8:1-8:

¹And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
²And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
³As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
⁴Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
⁵Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
⁶And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
⁷For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
⁸And there was great joy in that city.

Devotional

The Church is like a lily among thorns. Immediately after Pentecost the disciples experienced the enmity of the leaders of the Jews. The priests and captain of the temple and Sadducees "were grieved that they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead." And they laid hands on them and put them in prison, threatened them and forbade them to preach. But they answered them, "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." "And they spake the word of God with boldness . . . and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus."

After the death of Stephen a great persecution arose. The believers were scattered. But withersoever they went, they preached the Word. For a while the churches had rest. But when Paul and his helpers went forth to preach the gospel, the Jews again manifested intense hatred toward the apostles, and tried to kill them. From the beginning of the Christian Church to the present time there have been severe persecutions. Think of the history of martyrdom. What streams of blood have flowed! Thousands upon thousands suffered and died for the truth.

True believers must expect persecution. Jesus said, "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." Paul, after he had been stoned, exhorted the believers, "that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." If severe persecution comes upon us, and it may come soon, may we be faithful unto death, so that we may receive the crown of life.

Prayer

O God, we pray Thee, grant unto Thy servants boldness to proclaim Thy truth. May they be willing to suffer shame for the name of Christ. And cause us to be faithful wit­nesses of Thine. May we never be ashamed of Thee and Thy Word. May many through our testimony be won for Thee and Thy cause. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Acts 4:2, 20, 31, 33; 9:35; John 15:20; Acts 14:22; Rev. 2:10.

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