Listen to today’s devo!

This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)

Do you remember the moment a parent, a teacher, or a coach gave you the opportunity to complete a task on your own? Knowing that they believed in you made all the difference. They had trained you well and eventually your time to act came.

The disciples experienced a similar moment in the passage this week. They had lived and followed Jesus for almost three years. They watched him perform numerous miracles. Demons were cast out. The blind were healed. The lame walked. Even the dead were raised in front of them.

As long as Jesus was with them, they were fearless. But Jesus could not be with them always, and he could not accompany them on their new journey. He did not leave them entirely alone though. The promised Holy Spirit empowered them to take the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth. Though they endured persecution, hunger, and imprisonment, they boldly kept on spreading the word. The Spirit strengthened them when they were weak and gave them the words to say at just the right moment.

In the same way, we have been empowered to be Christ’s witnesses to a world that so desperately needs him. Though we may face trials and tribulation, we are not alone. Even when we feel weak, we are strong.

When you feel weak, remember God makes you strong.

Mark A. Moore, PhD, is an associate professor of theology at William Jessup University and the spiritual formation pastor at Faith Legacy Church in Sacramento, CA.

© 2022 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.