“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men. They weren’t superheroes or endowed with gifts and charisma that made them stand out in a crowd. In fact, they were so ordinary that the rulers and elders of the people knew instinctively that the courage they witnessed in Peter and John must be from another source. Their courage was so astonishing that others assumed they had to have been with Jesus.
Later in Acts 4, these same ordinary men faced interrogation and threats to their well-being if they continued to witness about Jesus. What ensued was incredible. They responded by telling the rulers and elders that they couldn’t help but speak of what they had seen and heard.
Peter and John shared their experience with their fellow believers and then they prayed,
“They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:28-30).
They acknowledged to God that it was by His power and will that this experience happened. They asked for the Lord to display His majestic glory through them. Then they asked the Lord to enable them to speak with great boldness – not to help them run to the next town, not to be hidden from the threats, not to even remove or silence the threats – but to meet the challenge head on with even greater boldness.
What are your prayers like when you feel threatened?
Father God, thank you that you are able to give us what we need to become who we need to be in the face of our biggest challenges. Please give us the overcoming power to grasp your love, to obey your voice, and to cling to you for what is needed in the midst of whatever situation we face. Pour into us your strength and power, and may you ultimately be glorified. In Jesus’ Name! Amen.
By Donna Mitchell
Used by Permission
https://thelife.com/devotionals
Further Reading
• Forgiveness – Yourself / Others
• God Is…
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