We looked previously at Acts 4, where we saw Peter and John heal a man, only to get arrested for doing so. They were then told to stop talking about Jesus and were released from prison, basically because the religious leaders didn’t know what to do with them.
But what did Peter and John do once they were out of jail? They went straight to their friends and told them everything that had happened. We’re not sure who these friends were. It could have been the other disciples, it could have been a different group among the new believers in Jerusalem. All we know is that Peter and John went straight to their friends, and those friends began to pray. And their prayer can teach us a lot about being godly in an ungodly world.
When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them…” (Acts 4:23-24)
First, they acknowledged something that we too often lose sight of, the sovereignty of God. Sometimes we see our problems as being bigger than God, but God is the Almighty Creator and Ruler of all that exists, and nothing is out of his control. Nothing.
Then the people quoted Psalm 2:1-2, where David had talked about the Gentiles and rulers setting themselves up against God’s Anointed, the Messiah, Jesus. The people praying this prayer had just seen these verses fulfilled at the crucifixion of Jesus.
“…who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’ — for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel…” (Acts 4:25-27)
This is something they had seen with their own eyes. Their Messiah, their Savior, Jesus, had been brutally beaten and placed on a cross, suffering and eventually dying in a very public way. The enemies of God had won. All was lost.
Except that they hadn’t, and it wasn’t.
“…to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” (Acts 4:28)
Do you see what they were acknowledging? When all seemed lost, when everything felt like it was out of control, God was actually in complete control. His enemies were merely doing what God had orchestrated and ordained for them to do.
We all face those times when life seems like it’s spinning out of control. If anybody would have felt that way it was the followers of Jesus while they watched him suffer on the cross. But God was in complete control that day, just like he is right now. Everything that happens in your life is God-filtered. God doesn’t fall asleep on the job, he doesn’t get sidetracked, and he’s never surprised by anything you face. If it happens, it’s because he allows it, and you can rest in the knowledge that he has a plan.
The people that Peter and John went to understood this. They recognized the greatness and the might and the sovereignty of God. But now it wasn’t just Jesus who was in trouble with the law. These people understood that the religious leaders were out to hurt anyone who spoke about Jesus. If they could arrest and kill Jesus, they could do anything. John and Peter had gotten off lucky this time, but what about next time?
“It’s one thing for God to be in control at the cross, but now the bad guys are going to be coming after us.” So the people pray for God’s protection.
“…And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness…” (Acts 4:29)
Wait, what? They did not ask for protection. They didn’t ask for God to keep them from harm or arrest. There was no prayer for God to destroy their enemies. They didn’t even ask God to save their enemies. Instead, they asked for the all-powerful God to give them boldness in speaking about Jesus.
As you’ve been navigating life in a world that is increasingly hostile toward God and his people, has that been your prayer? Or have you just been praying for protection from the bad guys? Worse, have you been keeping your head low and your voice silent about Jesus so you get to keep your job or your friends?
The people in this room were genuinely afraid. They’d seen the power of the authorities and what they were capable of doing. Their lives were at stake. But they knew that God was on the move. They knew that God was in control, that he was doing something amazing, and that he had invited them to be a part of it.
They also realized that their greatest danger didn’t lie with the religious leaders. Their greatest opponent was themselves.
So instead of asking for protection, they asked for courage to stand up and speak about Jesus.
And God answered their prayer.
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31)
God let them know immediately that their prayer was answered. The Holy Spirit gave them the courage they needed, and they went out and told people about Jesus.
Would you be willing to pray every day the Acts 4 prayer? I’m certainly not saying that it’s wrong to pray for protection, but there are times when our protection becomes our priority. Would you begin to pray first for the boldness to be a good representative of Jesus within your circle of influence?
Pray for courage to be a light in the darkness at work, at school, in your neighborhood, on the team, wherever you are. What would the world look like if every Christian prayed that prayer every day? Could it start with you?
“God, please grant to your servant to continue to speak your word with all boldness.”
God bless you Richard for a timely word in a world when we need it most!