This time of peace came after people were willing to risk imprisonment and even to die rather than stop speaking out in the name of the Lord.

The church is persecuted in many countries today - it seems that Christians in those countries have the same determination in their faith as the early church. It’s in the countries where life is good and relatively easy that we have lost that drive. If we look at the example of the early church in verse 31, it was the Holy Spirit who strengthened, encouraged and expanded the church, as the people lived in fear of the Lord.

May we rediscover living in dependence on the Holy Spirit and in fear of the Lord in our churches today. May we regain the boldness of the early church in speaking out in the name of the Lord, in the leading and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:31