GRAYSON, Ky. — After a five-day stint in jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis will return to work this week to face another day of reckoning.

The apostolic Christian, now a symbol of strong religious conviction to thousands across the globe, would not say Tuesday whether she will allow licenses to continue to be issued or try to block them once again, defying a federal court order that could send her back to jail.

Davis walked out of the Carter County Detention Center’s front door Tuesday, arm-in-arm with her lawyer and a Republican presidential candidate as thousands of supporters cheered and waved white crosses backed by a 150-voice church choir. Some in the crowd sang “Amazing Grace” and “God Bless America.”

U.S. District Judge David Bunning lifted the contempt ruling against Davis, saying he was satisfied that her deputies were fulfilling their obligation to grant licenses to same-sex couples in her absence. But Bunning’s order was clear: If Davis interferes with the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples upon her return, she could go right back to jail.

“I just want to give God the glory. His people have rallied, and you are a strong people,” the clerk told the crowd after stepping outside, her arms raised like a victorious boxer, to the blaring “Rocky”-sequel theme song “Eye of the Tiger.”