I wanted to bring your attention to a passage that I read this week: Acts 4:23-31.
In this passage the disciples are praying for boldness. Peter and John had just been held by the Sanhedrin (local Jewish leaders) because they had healed a man on the Sabbath. They were questioning Peter and John and trying to intimidate them from speaking about Jesus, and performing these miracles in His name. But Peter and John do not respond as I think most of us would expect.
It begins in Acts 4:24...
In this passage the disciples are praying for boldness. Peter and John had just been held by the Sanhedrin (local Jewish leaders) because they had healed a man on the Sabbath. They were questioning Peter and John and trying to intimidate them from speaking about Jesus, and performing these miracles in His name. But Peter and John do not respond as I think most of us would expect.
It begins in Acts 4:24...
When they [other disciples] heard this [the intimidation from the Sanhedrin], they raised their voices together to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. [...]
[...] For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, consider their threats [from the Sanhedrin], and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:24; 27-30 (CSB)
Why do I bring this passage up? I think no one would be surprised if this passage talked about the disciples losing heart. Their master had been crucified before them, and was resurrected, but left them here on earth. They were in the infancy of the early church and they were meeting such fierce resistance from local leaders. The world was trying to crush their spirit. However, they instead reminded each other that God is in control.
I can almost hear them in my head, "Do you see how they [Pilate, Herod, and the mob] came against our master Jesus, and do you see how our God's hand was in all of this? So now, let's truly consider their threat, does it truly hold any weight? No!"
I can almost hear them in my head, "Do you see how they [Pilate, Herod, and the mob] came against our master Jesus, and do you see how our God's hand was in all of this? So now, let's truly consider their threat, does it truly hold any weight? No!"
What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-35; 37–39 (CSB)
So I write this as an encouragement. A lot of people are going through difficult times, but I think it's important to remember that our God is working in our very midst. He is in control and we should trust Him.
