Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
Mark 13:11
Jesus never promised His disciples immunity from trouble or deliverance from trial. But He did give us two anchors that steady us in the turbulence.
First, we are not to be anxious. “Don’t worry beforehand,” Jesus said. How do you do that? How can you not be anxious when facing dreadful circumstances? Because you are there for a higher purpose—to represent the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You’re not there just for your own honor or safety. You are on assignment for Him. It’s not what happens to you that is most paramount; it’s whether what happens to you honors Him and advances His kingdom!
We need to take seriously Jesus’ words about anxiety. I know for many of us this is not an easy thing to do. But, if we haven’t discovered the means to have peace in our everyday lives (Matthew 6:25–34), then we will really have high distress in more horrific moments.
The prophet Jeremiah put it this way, “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?” Jeremiah knew a greater trial was coming than a footrace (Jeremiah 12:5–6).
Second, we are to be confident that the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say. Look at what happened to Pastor Mehdi Dibaj, martyr for the gospel in Iran in 1994. See how the Holy Spirit helped him with the words to say.
Dibaj had spent over nine years in prison solely because he was a Christian. For two and a half of those years, he was in solitary: a space no larger than four feet by four feet.
Near the end of his time of imprisonment he was asked by his prison commander, “You are an old man. You are sixty years old. You have gray hair. You have been here ten and a half years. Only say no to Christ and we will release you. Once, only once with your words. You may keep your Christian faith in your heart.”
Dibaj answered: “There is a long time until I become 120 years old. And if you keep me another sixty years, I’m not going to deny my Lord.”
This same commander asked him on another occasion: “If you see Jesus in a dream and Jesus tells you that ‘After me another prophet will come. Follow him.’ What would you say to Jesus?” Dibaj answered: “I’ll fall on my knees. I’ll cry and I’ll say, ‘Lord Jesus. If You want to send me to hell, please do so. If You want to execute me, please do so. Do whatever You will. But please don’t send me away from You to another person.’”
How could Dibaj say things like that? Because Jesus’ promise was true for him—the Holy Spirit gave him what to say in the moments he needed it.
It’s the same for you. Are you going through trial right now? Would you take some moments to shut yourself in with Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a word to speak to your situation at this very moment? He will!
A Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to rely on You today, trusting the Holy Spirit to give me the right words at the right time for every need I face.
Excerpted from Dr. Wood’s forthcoming book, Fearless: How Jesus Changes Everything, available in September from Vital Resources.
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