Now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness. – Acts 4:29
Have you ever questioned a decision you made, thinking that it might have been better to do something differently? Sometimes your decision can be a crossroad in your life, a determining factor in your path for the future. It was just that situation in the lives of Peter and John. The Jewish leaders in the Sanhedrin had arrested the two apostles and commanded them to cease speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus.
Once released, Peter and John went directly to their friends to report the events. They “lifted their voices together to God” in prayer and praised Him as Sovereign Lord and Creator God. They asked Him for boldness to continue to speak (Acts 4:23-30). They didn’t ask for relief from the persecution, but rather that they would have more courage to be resolute in their work for the Lord. Here was a crossroad decision in the history of the Church. If the apostles had acquiesced to the demands of the Sanhedrin, God would have secured a way, but Christianity would have a different story.
It took courage and commitment to be witnesses for the Lord, to endure hardship, beatings, imprisonment, and even death, yet remain focused on spreading the Gospel message. Those with hardened hearts, some in service to this nation today, may continue to rage against the name of Jesus. Pray that the Lord would provide the strength you need to speak boldly, with cheerfulness and faithfulness, and prepare the hearts of others to receive His message. Seek God in constant prayer for renewal and revival in this country. Then stand firm in His truth.
Today’s Verse: Acts 4:29
And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Acts 4:13-20, 5:29 26:36-46
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
