Father, as I sit with You tonight, I would place into Your hands something that is weighing heavily on my heart and mind. For me, though not for You, it is complicated and has overwhelmed me. In Your time, may Your will come to fruition. Amen.
Acts 4:23-31 (<<click here to read the passage)
This passage made me think that though the followers of Jesus were facing a formidable force in the Jewish High Council, they most assuredly stood with a much greater force that could not be hindered in any way. As long as they remained in the center of God’s will -under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, absolutely nothing could stop them from accomplishing what He desired!
When Peter and John rejoined the other believers and shared with them the events that had transpired, they immediately lifted their voices together in prayer to God. v24 NLT
You would think that they would have prayed for some way around the problems they faced. They did pray that God would hold their adversaries accountable for their actions, but they did not turn tail and run – not at all! Instead, they prayed,
And now, Lord, observe their threats [take them into account] and grant that Your bond-servants may declare Your message [of salvation] with great confidence… v29 AMP
They had no intention of doing anything but moving boldly ahead and proclaiming God’s message of salvation!
It made me think of the following quote: God didn’t remove the Red Sea. He parted it. God doesn’t always remove your problems, but He will make a way to get through them.
To my knowledge, it is not attributed to any one person or publication but has shown up several times on the social media platforms through which I have perused.
So many times, in our lives – and my opening prayer is an excellent example – we are overwhelmed by circumstances in which we find ourselves. Honestly, I’d rather run but if I run nothing is accomplished. Change on one front of the other needs to take place. Now maybe nothing will change at all, but the attempt must be made. The parties involved must be made to come face to face with God and His divine will and if one or the other refuses to move or change that is on them.
But if one, or both, yield to God…so much the better.
Once more, God didn’t remove the Red Sea. He parted it. God doesn’t always remove your problems, but He will make a way to get through them.
O Lord…give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. v29b NLT May we not shy from adversity if it brings You the glory! Amen.
Jan 31st, 2022, Mon, 7:06 pm
