🕊️ PRAY HERE DEVOTION 🕊️ Following Jesus Brings Societal Pressure

Scripture: Acts 5:29 (NIV)

“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!’”

Devotion: When you make the decision to truly follow Jesus and obey His Word, pressure will come. Sometimes it can feel lonely. People may disagree with you, question your choices, or try to convince you to choose their way, or the world’s way, over God’s way.

Not only will pressure come from the world, but sometimes it will come from your own family. Because we naturally desire acceptance, obeying the Lord can be difficult at times. But be encouraged knowing that much of this pressure comes from unbelievers. Some mean no harm at all; they simply lack faith and understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Others, however, will intentionally push back against your obedience.

The disciples experienced this very thing. They were commanded to be silent and stop preaching the gospel. That’s when Peter boldly declared, “We must obey God rather than man.” In that moment, a clear decision had to be made about who they would obey.

Following Jesus has always come with resistance. Even Jesus Himself faced pressure and rejection from His own family. Despite the fact that His ministry was growing and lives were being changed, Scripture tells us that His brothers did not believe in Him (John 7:5). If it happened to Jesus, we should not be surprised when it happens to us.

You may face skepticism, ridicule, or lack of support; but the Lord will fight those battles for you. Do not allow pressure to pull you away from obedience. Your life, your consistency, and your faith can become the very testimony that leads your family, friends, and others to Christ.

Be encouraged today. You are doing a good thing. Do not stop your journey with the Lord to please people. Choose to please God rather than man, and trust that in His timing, hearts will be changed.

Prayer: Father, give me strength to obey You even when it is hard. Help me not to shrink back because of pressure, rejection, or fear of disapproval. Remind me that pleasing You is greater than pleasing people. Use my life as a witness to draw others to You. I trust You with the outcome.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.