1Peter 3:14 But even if you suffer for doing what God approves, you are blessed. Don't be afraid of those who want to harm you. Don't get upset.

1Pe 3:15 But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord. Always be ready to defend your confidence in God when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect.

How easy it is to clam up when someone looks at us funny or makes fun of the way we believe. No one wants to be made fun of or even feel threatened, yet if we're being watched so much that others can see how we live and worship, then that's the time to let them see God in you. That is the time to show you do trust God and that He is worthy of your trust. However, that is not the time to turn on them and start hitting them with the Bible. The text above says to explain your confidence in God with gentleness and respect.

I think of Esther when I read those texts. There is someone who faced the chance of being put to death by her husband. It was against the law to go see the king unless you were summoned. If she walked in the room and he wasn't feeling like visiting with her and didn't hold out his scepter, then she would be put to death. Rather than run away from her fears and responsibility of saving her people, she spent 3 days fasting and praying before she dressed herself up and then went to see the king. She didn't blurt out why she was there, but instead she spoke humbly and with respect to the king and caught his attention by twice inviting him to a banquet. Because of her faith in God, and by spending time in prayer with God, she was able to do what she needed to do to save her people.

Christ knew what was in the future for Him. His death was the only way to save humanity. He spent each day with His Father for strength. He didn't run from those who wanted to kill Him. Instead He spent 3 years displaying God's love for all and teaching, all who would listen, about our Father in Heaven.

We also have a duty to show God's love to those around us. Even those who don't like us. We can only do this by having complete dependence on God and spending time talking with Him each day. We have to know God and let Him completely run our lives. With out Him, we will mess things up terribly. Without God, anger, grudges, hostility, fear, and distrust will rule our lives. Because of God, we have no one to be afraid of, and with God we can reach out in genuine love to those who don't like us.

Start each day with a talk with God. Without Him we can do nothing. With Him we can do all things.