Mid Year Revival Cry (Part 20): An Increased mix of Favor and Scorn on the Church

Daily Scripture Threshing for Monday, July 3, 2023

Today’s Text: Acts 2:36-47

Key Verses: Acts 2:47 (NLT): “All the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

From Habakkuk’s prayer to the church first open rally at Pentecost, through all recorded acts of the apostles, we can be sure that God’s favor is upon any revived people. However, we always have an unusual blend of scorn and favor. God’s people over the ages have had their fair share of this in the history of revival.

The Old Testament speaks to this fact that “people shall be willing in the day of thy power” (Pe 110:3), but Jesus gave us total package in the New, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also” (John 15:20). Indeed, all apostolic events that followed Pentecost gave credence to how the early Christians saw favor with “all the people.” But remember, of course, that this did not include the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Sanhedrin and other Jewish leaders, who immediately began to persecute them (Acts 4:1). This is an indication to us to always expect a mix of favor and opposition during revival.

Part of the reason they had so much favor with all the people was because the new life they found made them liberal and generous almsgivers. The poor were blessed and the miraculous hands of God was evident. This revived an early popularity among common people except a few elements that looked on them with malignant fear. This has always been the case with the church.

We cannot always be in the good book of people. More so, to be in love with God is almost always synonymous with being enmity with the world. Mockers will always arise when you’re living a revived life. There will be opposition from within and without—but God’s people always triumphs in the joy of being favored regardless of persecution or opposition.

Quote for the Day: “In revival, God’s people experience signs of God’s presence, but with at least a more bonus sign —persecution, one of our most powerful rewards.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for letting this heat of scorn remind me of my fellowship with your suffering. Please bless me with peace throughout this times. Teach me to be grateful in the favor I find. Let me find rest, remain strong, and keep my faith unto the end—in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families, and Christian churches]

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