Bible League: Living His Word "We must obey God, not you!"— Acts 5:29 ERV In Acts 5, jealousy drives the high priest and the Sadducees to seize the apostles and throw them in jail. The impact of the apostles' preaching drives them mad. They think they've gotten rid of Jesus and His teachings, but the opposite is true. During the night, an angel of the Lord releases the apostles from their cells and orders them to continue telling people the Good News. They must preach not just in the streets, but in the temple area, the territory of the Jewish council! God and His message are unstoppable forces. The apostles obey the angel's command and preach, much to the bewilderment of the high priest. Again, he orders their arrest, and when they stand in his court, he shouts to them, "We told you never again to teach as followers of that man!" Note the utter aversion with which he refers to Jesus as "that man." Peter responds with the words of today's verse. "We must obey God, not you!" Subsequently, Peter accuses the high priest and his council of killing Jesus but turns the accusation into an explanation of how God planned to save His people. "God did this to give all the people of Israel the opportunity to change and turn to God to have their sins forgiven" (verse 31). There's good news even in that accusation! Peter's boldness is remarkable. The high priest thinks he is in charge of religious matters in and around the temple area, but Peter stands on an authority that greatly surpassed that of the Jewish leader. In verse 32, he explains that the Holy Spirit is the force behind his frank speech. The strength of the Spirit isn't confined to the apostles' acts, Peter adds, "God has given His Spirit to all those who obey Him." It's remarkable how obedience is the core of these few verses. Peter mentions it twice, in verses 29 and 32. Apparently, obedience is vital. If we obey God's Word and follow His commandments in every aspect of our lives, the Holy Spirit will be with us and give us the words and the courage to speak. Just as Jesus promised in Luke 12:11-12, "When men bring you into the synagogues before the leaders and other important men, don't worry about what you will say. The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." Persecuted Christians know what this means. They experience daily the cost of obeying God and not worldly authorities. Like the apostles, they are questioned, arrested, thrown in jail, or even killed. When I hear the testimonies of these bold witnesses, I wonder how I would act in such a situation. Looking at myself, I'd most probably fail. However, when I prayerfully consider today's verse, I take heart and trust God to strengthen me with His Spirit at the right time. In Christ, I stand on an Authority that nullifies all earthly powers. I'll carry on in faith, obeying Jesus' commandment of love. To Him be all the glory! By Anton de Vreugd, Bible League International staff, the Netherlands Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingProverbs 1, 2 Proverbs 1 -- The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Proverbs 2 -- Receive my words, and store up my commandments within you; NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Corinthians 12 1 Corinthians 12 -- Spiritual Gifts; One Body Made Up of Many Parts NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.Insight Recognizing the other believers as brothers and sisters in the family of God, the Christians in Jerusalem shared all they had so that all could benefit from God's gifts. Challenge It is tempting—especially if we have material wealth—to cut ourselves off from one another, each taking care of his or her own interests, each providing for and enjoying his or her own little piece of the world. But as part of God's spiritual family, it is our responsibility to help one another in every way possible. God's family works best when its members work together. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Mark 1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.Very interesting is this little peep into the house of the Apostolic Fisherman. We see at once that household joys and cares are no hindrance to the full exercise of ministry, nay, that since they furnish an opportunity for personally witnessing the Lord's gracious work upon one's own flesh and blood, they may even instruct the teacher better than any other earthly discipline. Papists and other sectaries may decry marriage, but true Christianity and household life agree well together. Peter's house was probably a poor fisherman's hut, but the Lord of Glory entered it, lodged in it, and wrought a miracle in it. Should our little book be read this morning in some very humble cottage, let this fact encourage the inmates to seek the company of King Jesus. God is oftener in little huts than in rich palaces. Jesus is looking round your room now, and is waiting to be gracious to you. Into Simon's house sickness had entered, fever in a deadly form had prostrated his mother-in-law, and as soon as Jesus came they told him of the sad affliction, and he hastened to the patient's bed. Have you any sickness in the house this morning? You will find Jesus by far the best physician, go to him at once and tell him all about the matter. Immediately lay the case before him. It concerns one of his people, and therefore will not be trivial to him. Observe, that at once the Saviour restored the sick woman; none can heal as he does. We may not make sure that the Lord will at once remove all disease from those we love, but we may know that believing prayer for the sick is far more likely to be followed by restoration than anything else in the world; and where this avails not, we must meekly bow to his will by whom life and death are determined. The tender heart of Jesus waits to hear our griefs, let us pour them into his patient ear. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.Isaiah 40:28,29 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. • He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Isaiah 41:10 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Isaiah 25:4 For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall. James 1:3,4 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. • And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Hebrews 10:35,36 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. • For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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