February 27: Trusting His Provision.
HIS COURAGE.
"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bondservants may speak Your word with all confidence."--Acts 4:29
Martin Luther had arrived at Worms. The Reformer had expected a scholarly debate about the content of his books, but instead Eck, an official of the Archbishop of Trier, opened the proceedings by asking Luther to acknowledge the authorship of his books and to recant his position. Luther was taken by surprise, and even though he corroborated his authorship, he asked for time to consider the recantation request. A delay of one day was granted. Did he lose his confidence for a few hours? Was it a debate technique? Whatever the reason for his request, Luther surrendered to God, and the next day he asserted in front of the council that he could not retract in light of the Scriptural evidence, come what may.
After their arrest for speaking about salvation through Jesus Christ, Peter and John were commanded by the council "not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus" (Acts 4:18). The two disciples responded: "we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard" (verse 20). Then they were threatened and released (verse 21). And they went to their own people and prayed an amazing prayer. When we pray for God to provide what we need while we're going through dire circumstances, we usually think of asking God to remove the trial, to provide for our physical needs, or to send people who will comfort us. But they prayed for God to provide...confidence; they prayed for courage to continue proclaiming the Word of God! "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence" (verse 29). We can request the same, especially when we are under oppression or going through difficulties due to our belief in Jesus. God responded with a miraculous manifestation of His Spirit: "the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness" (verse 31). God will give us courage when we meet opposition to the gospel. This is a divine provision that we are sure to receive!
My Response:___________________________________________________
HIS COURAGE.
"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bondservants may speak Your word with all confidence."--Acts 4:29
Martin Luther had arrived at Worms. The Reformer had expected a scholarly debate about the content of his books, but instead Eck, an official of the Archbishop of Trier, opened the proceedings by asking Luther to acknowledge the authorship of his books and to recant his position. Luther was taken by surprise, and even though he corroborated his authorship, he asked for time to consider the recantation request. A delay of one day was granted. Did he lose his confidence for a few hours? Was it a debate technique? Whatever the reason for his request, Luther surrendered to God, and the next day he asserted in front of the council that he could not retract in light of the Scriptural evidence, come what may.
After their arrest for speaking about salvation through Jesus Christ, Peter and John were commanded by the council "not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus" (Acts 4:18). The two disciples responded: "we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard" (verse 20). Then they were threatened and released (verse 21). And they went to their own people and prayed an amazing prayer. When we pray for God to provide what we need while we're going through dire circumstances, we usually think of asking God to remove the trial, to provide for our physical needs, or to send people who will comfort us. But they prayed for God to provide...confidence; they prayed for courage to continue proclaiming the Word of God! "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence" (verse 29). We can request the same, especially when we are under oppression or going through difficulties due to our belief in Jesus. God responded with a miraculous manifestation of His Spirit: "the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness" (verse 31). God will give us courage when we meet opposition to the gospel. This is a divine provision that we are sure to receive!
My Response:___________________________________________________
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