#10 | Take Time to Think
Read: Acts 5:12-42
Meditate on your own:
- What do you notice about the characters in this passage?
- What do you notice about the exercise of authority in this passage?
- What verse/phrase stands out to you?
- What truth about God or mankind do you think you can draw from this?
- Where do you see other parts of the Bible saying the same thing?
- What are the implications of that truth? What would be opposite to that?
- Why is this good news, both for you and for others?
- What does this reveal about your own heart? What do you need to repent of? What do you need to ask God for?
Consider
Certainly, this was the end. The apostles had just been imprisoned, severely beaten, and assured that they would be killed if they continued to defiantly proclaim Jesus as Savior and Lord. Even the most levelheaded of the apostles’ opponents recognized that there was no hope for the movement the apostles led to continue unless God himself was at work. If they had been lying about Jesus, surely they would cease proclaiming his death and resurrection, and even if they didn’t, surely no one would follow them in their death. One way or another, this was the end. Yet, the apostles did not see it that way.
These same apostles, who only a few months earlier had fled from Jesus’s side at the suggestion of persecution, left the presence of Israel’s leaders rejoicing for the suffering they got to endure. Why? What would allow these men to endure such extreme pain and stare death in the face with joy in their hearts? In a word—certainty. The apostles were certain that the Sovereign Lord over all Creation was with them. He had all authority and worked everything for their good while their opponents had no authority over them except what had been given by him (John 19:11). He had been answering their prayers and was working through them to heal and perform signs and wonders. Then, he had supernaturally rescued them from prison and enabled them to speak his word with complete boldness in the face of life-threatening opposition. He had given them everything they needed to bear witness to Jesus, and they were certain he would continue to do so. They were certain that nothing could happen to them unless it passed through the hands of their loving Father in heaven who promised to keep no good thing from them (Romans 8:32).
Hence, their suffering was not punishment but something to be “counted worthy” of (Acts 5:41). They had been blessed to endure suffering just like their Savior and for the sake of his name.
How does the thought of suffering disgrace tempt you to not obey Jesus? What would it look like for you to trust that God is in control this week?
What would it look like for you to boldly proclaim the gospel this week?
Pray:
Use the acronym IOUS, turning the prayers of the Psalmist into your own.
Incline my heart to you and not to prideful gain or any false motive!
Psalm 119:36
Open my eyes to behold wonderous things out of your Word.
Psalm 119:18
Unite my heart to fear your name.
Psalm 86:11
Satisfy me with your steadfast love.
Psalm 90:14
