Day 9

 Acts 5:17-42, Romans 5:1-11

“Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41). By now you’ve done your yearly tabling - where people avoid you like the plague. Or maybe you’ve even encountered some hostility because people see that big “church” word and assume the worst of you. Or maybe tabling is amazing, but you’re running on that fourth coffee and Taco Bell. Whatever heartache or suffering you may be feeling, let it be filled with rejoicing. Paul encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4) . 

Let us rejoice in our suffering, may it be a lack of sleep or hostility from someone at the table. Let us have full hearts to rejoice. Let our aching bones lead us to worship because Jesus is worth it. He is worth the long days and the awkward table conversations. Let us rejoice in the moments we are counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus; because Jesus is our hope, and hope does not put us to shame. 

Again I say rejoice.