SUPERNATURAL COURAGE
Opening Prayer
Thank you, Father, that when I read your Word, I know I will always receive truth, reassurance, and hope from you.
Read ACTS 4:13–22
13 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. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What have you been known for in different times and places? In God’s presence, make a list of qualities, roles, and achievements, asking for his perspective on them.Peter and John were known for their courage. (v. 13). It spurred them through seismic shifts in the church’s history, sustained them in powerful preaching and miraculous ministry, and held them steady before amazed crowds and agitated religious rulers. Knowing that it didn’t derive from education or anything innately remarkable about these men, the Jewish elite tentatively linked it to time with Jesus (v. 13). They couldn’t contradict such confidence, yet were reluctant to acknowledge its source, just as they couldn’t refute that the lame man now leaped—yet refused to approve the spreading news (vv. 16, 17). What can you not deny, but struggle to support?
So when the two fearless apostles were threatened, their confidence in and allegiance to God would not be curtailed by critics too ready to capitulate to man (v. 21). The Bible says much to endorse obeying earthly authorities, so long as that doesn’t run counter to the revealed will of God. But the unwavering source of the apostles’ continuing courage can be ours too. Let it be listening to God (v. 19) that underpins both our confidence and our decisions.
Apply
From whom, what, or where do you get your confidence?
Closing prayer
Lord God, root my confidence in you so that I can live my life full of courage, ready and even eager to serve you.
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