"but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it - lest you even be found to fight against God."
Acts 5:39 NKJV
In parts, this piece of scripture looks like a comedy scene. Peter and John had once again been caught preaching about Jesus in public. So Peter and John were once again arrested and placed in a guarded cell. During the night, an angel turned up, opened the prison doors and freed them, directing them to go and preach in the temple about Jesus.
God always has a way, no one can outsmart Him, But when God starts working, the devil does too. Jonathan Edwards is quoted as saying something similar, 'When the church is revived so is the devil.' So when you are in blessing, it is not the time to sit back, have a day off and enjoy things. We have to stay vigilant.
It's amazing when you think about it, the guards were still on the door keeping things safe, or so they thought and then an angel escorted by Peter and John passes them by and the angel locks the door again. v23. The angel sent them to preach in the temple, not to hide away from their enemies. It was time to move forward, retreating gets us nowhere. So there they were preaching on the streets again. Have you ever done this? It is quite scary at first until you get used to it. Then it comes as second nature. There will be hecklers though but this goes with the territory.
The next day, the high priest and Sadducees, sent for Peter and John but were quickly told that the cell was stilled locked up, guarded but there was no one in there. Eventually they were found in the temple teaching about Jesus v25. One would have felt that they would have asked Peter and John how on earth had they got out of their cell but, surprisingly they didn't. Perhaps they had figured it out themselves but didn't want the crowd to be considering miraculous ideas. They took them back to the council and as they were deliberating about all what had happened, Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the law spoke up with these words of wisdom:
'And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.40And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.'
We really cannot take God on and win. Many have tried and, many have failed. Gamaliel was a wise man and could see that, if this was of God, no one would be able to stop it. And it's the same today. There may be great Christian outreach's all over the place, if God is in them, then no matter what protesters try to do, He will win. Don't ever, allow people to prevent you from speaking about Jesus. It is your right as a Child of God, no matter what all of the protesting organisations are saying we can't do. We can, because Jesus said so!
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen'
Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
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