1 Kings 1:1-53
Acts 4:1-37
Psalm 124:1-8
Proverbs 16:24
Acts 4:18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
We live in a world that tells us not to speak, teach or even pray in the name of Jesus. In American you can be criticized, lose your job, be verbally and even physically attacked in some places if you speak about Jesus and stand up for His word. For the Apostles their freedom, livelihood and lives were put in danger on a daily basis but that did not stop them. We cannot let it stop us. They were obedient and God was faithful. This time even though they did not obey the evidence was in their favor so there was nothing that the council could do to them. We too can trust in God and if it should come down to some sort of trial we must trust the results as God is in control. There were times that the disciples escaped prosecution and other times that they were imprisoned but each time they were right where they needed to be to accomplish the work that God had for them. The same goes for us.
Acts 4:24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
“‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together against the Lord
and against his anointed one.’
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
When things did work out they gave the glory to God and surrendered to His power asking for the boldness to speak His word. They were still frightened and didn't know how it would turn out but they trusted God. They praised Him reviewing all that He had done. Then they asked for the boldness to do what they needed to do to speak His word and to heal and perform miracles.
Acts 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
God's response was not just to give them the ability but to do it in a powerful way. Their meeting place did not have to shake but it did and everyone around would have seen it. He made a statement then gave the power to speak boldly the word of God through the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. He can and will do the same for us when it is needed. Don't be afraid. Pray for boldness and speak the name of Jesus. Don't be afraid to teach the truths of Jesus and stand up for what is right. Expect miracles to happen. Because we too can pray, '“Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.' and more. And we need to because this is still true today and will continue to be until Jesus return.
' “‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together against the Lord
and against his anointed one.’'
But it is in vain because Jesus has already won. But they are blind that is why we need to boldly speak the name as Jesus as much as we can.
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