Friday 22 Apr 2022

April 22: Acts 4:1-12

Key Verse: Acts 4:10
then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

Devotion:
How brave do you think you are when it comes to telling people the truth about Jesus? We may think we are very brave and willing to tell the truth no matter what – much like being asked “are you willing to die for your beliefs.” When asked, we like to think we would be willing to die, but when push comes to shove and we are faced with death, we often choose the easier route out!

Peter shows us how much the Holy Spirit can and will do for us. Despite being thrown in jail overnight because he was telling people about Jesus, he stands in front of the high priest and the local rulers and declares this has all happened because they dared to crucify Jesus who was their Messiah! If he was thrown in jail for talking about Jesus, calling the priests and rulers out for killing Jesus was a step further!

Peter had previously denied Jesus three times before His crucifixion and now he is standing up to people from the highest positions in the country to declare Jesus as King of Kings! He did not get this power and strength from “inside;” he had proved himself to be weak beforehand. Now he was getting strength and courage from the Holy Spirit who was also giving him the right words to say to the right people to get the maximum impact!

I have learned to make sure I ask for God’s help in everything I do. I have learned the hard way I don’t know enough by myself. I know I am not brave enough by myself. But I also know that as long as I am depending on God, I will prevail in the right way. My way may not be the right way because I see things as people on earth do; I need to listen to God to make sure I do things His way!

Points to Ponder:
How brave are you?

Do you give God control in your life?