The ten lepers kept their distance from Jesus, respecting the Law of Moses, and lifted up their voices, asking the Master to have mercy on them. That attitude alone was enough for Jesus to respond to them. In the same way, He will act toward those who seek Him and cry out for help. Jesus will never deny His blessings to anyone, for He Himself paid with His own life to make them available to those who believe in Him. The Lord is our Friend!

When the Holy Spirit descended upon the people who were waiting for the promise in the upper room, Peter began to explain this phenomenon: But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. (Acts 2:14). Often, we need to raise our voices so that the lost may understand the works of God!

Job's friends heard what had happened to him and went to visit him. When they saw his situation, which had been allowed by God, they did not recognize him: And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven.  (Job 2:12). There are times when we feel the pain of others. When you need help, cry out to God, and He will answer you!

When Peter and John were released, they returned to their companions and told them about the threats from the chief priests. These intimidations occurred because of the impact the Gospel was having in those regions. Upon hearing this, those who were gathered with the apostles prayed: So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them. (Acts 4.24). As a result, the place was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit!

Paul and Barnabas were in Lystra. Paul was used by God to heal a man who was lame, (Acts 14:8), and the people were excited to witness that miracle: Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”  (Acts 14.11). They believed that Paul and Barnabas were gods, and that this was why the man had been healed. Even the priest of Jupiter, the religion of the time, went there!

While passing through Ephesus, Paul faced adversity. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver idols, gathered others of the same profession and convinced them that the apostle could put an end to their work. The people's reaction was as follows: But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” (Acts 19.34). Tempers calmed down with the intervention of the city clerk, and Ephesus was shaken by the Lord!

Paul’s life was turbulent, because besides preaching in pagan lands, he was also persecuted by the Jews. In Jerusalem, he was arrested and made his defense: And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!”  (Acts 22.22). God is faithful, and He took him to Rome. During the journey, the ship he was on was wrecked, but Paul reached the capital of the Empire. The Lord was with him!

         In Christ, with love,

         R. R. Soares