Joy over a beating?

I must admit it is hard for me to completely understand this below:



Acts 5:40-42



40 And they agreed with him, 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. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.



The apostles had been arrested for preaching and teaching Jesus. God miraculously had them freed and they went right back to preaching and teaching. The high priest and his gang were not happy about this but a wise man in their group told them to let it alone and see if they were of God or not. So they beat them and let them go. All that I get but what is hard for me to grasp is this "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name"! Wow. Now don't get me wrong, I love Jesus, but to rejoice over a beating? That is hard to comprehend.



This is what God is looking for: Uncompromising faith. After all God told us that we would face persecution if we are doing His work. I guess we have to ask ourselves, have I been persecuted for my faith? Probably will not be a beating. Maybe cussed at for telling somebody about Jesus. Or a door slammed in our faces. People may make fun of us because we are trying to live for Jesus instead of the world. If we have never faced any of these it is probably because we are not serving Jesus like we should!



Many across the world are suffering physically for Jesus. They do get beat, starved, families separated, and yes even killed for serving Jesus. The reason the apostles could rejoice was it was a clear sign they were serving Jesus! I pray we all have that same strength to rejoice and stand strong no matter the opposition. Remember we have the power in the Holy Spirit!



Tom