“But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:13-15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul quotes part of Psalm 116:10 to establish his perspective. He spoke what he believed. Believing in Jesus and preaching Him as the way of salvation is admired and respected in areas where it is prevalent. However, preaching the truth about Jesus isn't always admired and respected. In cultures where sin is amuck it is often met with disdain and rejection, even to the point of hostility, attack, and even death. Even in the church world there can be resistance and rejection of the truth. Preaching the truth will either receive acceptance or rejection. We must decide to preach it no matter what the response. It is our duty to proclaim the truth. How people respond is up to them. As heralds of the truth, it is our responsibility is to stay true to the message regardless of adverse circumstances. As we obey the Holy Spirit in preaching the gospel, we can know with certainty that God will use the seeds we have sown to accomplish His purpose and plan. Just as every seed sown in a garden doesn't come forth to fruit, we, too, must remember that it is our duty to sow the seed and leave the results to God. We can prepare the soil and plant the seed, but the results are in God's hands. Jesus used this analogy when He taught the "Parable of the Sower" in Matthew 13:1-23.

I once heard it said this way: "You can count the seeds in an apple but you can't count the apples in a seed." Preach the truth and leave the harvest to God!

Prayer for today: Father, in Jesus name, help me stay true to You and Your Word. May I never compromise the truth in order to please an audience. The audience I want to please is You!!