“…and when they had called for the apostles
AND BEATEN THEM, they commanded that
they should not speak in the name of Jesus,
and let them go.
So they departed from the presence of the council,
REJOICING that they were counted worthy
to suffer SHAME for His name.”
Acts 5:40-41

“and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them…”

Take time to ponder this story. It’s so easy to read it and just go on to the next verse. Try to see into the minds of these men who could REJOICE that they had the PRIVILEGE of suffering SHAME for the Name of Jesus. These men were human beings like every one of us. What was it they had inside that so motivated them to be able to actually rejoice in being beaten? It certainly isn’t the normal human reaction to pain or to injustice.

The next time you suffer something because of your faith, even if it’s just a hateful word, remember these men who attained to a perspective that enabled them to rejoice when harmed. Aspire to be, ask to be, taken to that level of faith. It doesn’t come naturally, it is the gift of grace.

Ask for it.

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you,
and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake.
REJOICE and be EXCEEDINGLY GLAD,
for great is your reward in heaven,
for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:11-12