In Acts 5 we read that the leaders of Jerusalem, in order to stop Peter and the apostles talking about Jesus, had them flogged. After this we are told: “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (Acts 5:41). Every time you associate yourself with Jesus you deepen your connection with him. And when you do this at some personal cost it deepens that relationship even more. This is actually what true praise is. Praise is not something you do in church primarily. It is the act of commending God’s goodness to those who don’t know about it. To talk about Jesus openly, particularly where he is not presently being honoured, is to praise him in the highest sense. The apostles paid a great price for their association with Jesus; they were flogged. But it seems that the flogging only drove their connection with Jesus deeper into their hearts. Peter’s readers were also experiencing some persecution and Peter encourages them saying: “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” Peter knew what it felt like to deny Jesus and he knew what it felt like to be persecuted for Jesus. He knew how costly it was to associate with Jesus, but he considered the cost infinitely below what he gained as a result. Be willing to associate yourself with Jesus whenever the opportunity presents itself. Learn to live a life of praise to him. And if it costs you something, all the better.
Ask God to give you opportunities to praise him to people today.
Read 1 Peter 4:12-19.
