“Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look. Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’
“This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years… He received living oracles to give to us…
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.’
“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him… They cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.” Acts 7:30-36,38b,51-54,57-58a
Children of the heavenly Father who rightly follow His difficult calling are often rejected here below. Through the ages, many who obeyed their divine commission were taunted, opposed, and mistreated, but they knew the One to whom they were accountable and their allegiance was fixed on Him. Walking in the Spirit of the Lord assures sufficient strength and the deepest of comfort, even in trial. (Acts 9:15-16,31)
When we are doing right and well in obedience to God and meet opposition and rejection, we can gain inspiration from Bible heroes who endured by faith, though none compare to Jesus. He perfectly followed His Father’s will, and that obedience led to excruciating pain and the cross. Yet, He was wholly surrendered to His will, and kept on for the joy set before Him, authoring our faith in the process. (Isaiah 53:3-10; Luke 22:42; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 11:24-27,32-40; 12:1-3)
What weakness of will or faintness of heart holds us back from standing for right and walking by faith? Looking to self instead of the One we serve will surely ruin holy resolve. By definition, faith is being certain of and living by what and the One whom we cannot see. His preeminence beckons, His righteousness guards our souls, His sufficiency provides as we obey. Would we do the right thing, no matter what? (Hebrews 11:1)
Good Father, keep my heart and actions always right before You, whatever the cost in this world and life. May I ever obey, speak for, and glorify You, for You are worthy.
As the rain and snow 