Courage and Confidence
The Apostles Persecuted
17Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20"Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."
21At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23"We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside." 24On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this.
25Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people." 26At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
27Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!
Tommy's Thoughts:
Being a Christian and having faith in God doesn’t guarantee us a life free from problems and hardship. Instead, it makes our troubles seem less intimidating by putting them into the right perspective. The hope we have in God gives us the courage and confidence to continue serving and obeying Him despite the obstacles and uncertainties we are facing.
Dear Heavenly Father, You are my hope and strength, a very present help in trouble. Thank You for Jesus who willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross, giving me hope and redemption. Give me courage to take up my cross and follow Him; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. In His name I pray, Amen.
Bee's Thoughts:
What is the difference between doing what is "legal" and doing what is "right"?
Being "legal" is doing what is accepted by men, while doing what is "right" is doing what is accepted by God. Peter and the other apostles chose to do what is right to what is legal (v29).
We are constantly faced with choices in life especially in our working world. Many practices many be legal yet not right in the eyes of God. As Christians we have to be careful not to be conformed to the world's practices but to be bold to do what is right.
Dear Lord,
I pray that You will give me strength to obey You rather than men, especially in my work places. In all my decisions making and handling of situations may I do what is right in Your sight and not just what is permissible by the world.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
