Will I Obey God or Men?

Daily Reading:  Acts 5

We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside. ... Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5.23, 29)

Devotional Thought: In the fifth chapter of Acts, the persecution of Jesus’ followers intensifies.  Once again, the apostles were healing and preaching salvation in the name of Jesus.  And once again, the ruling authorities did not like all the attention that this new “Jesus Sect” was getting.  So they had the apostles put in jail overnight to try to convince them to stop preaching in the name of Jesus.  Well, it was time for the apostles to live up to their prayers!  They had prayed for God to give them boldness in spite of persecution (see chapter 4), and now they needed to be bold.

Early the next day, the ruling authorities sent to bring the apostles out from jail in order to convene court.  But, they found that the apostles were not there!  During the night, an angel came and busted them out of jail.  Where were the apostles?  Preaching in the temple!  In spite of their arrest and the earlier threats, these followers of Jesus were determined to obey Jesus’ instructions to preach the gospel!  When court was convened, the apostles simply said, “We must obey God rather than men!”

Satan is still working against the followers of Jesus Christ, trying to prevent us from testifying.  He locks us up behind the bars of intimidation, political correctness, social acceptance, fear, and inexperience. Then he posts a guard at the door of our hearts by making us feel inadequate.  But our God is greater than the devil’s schemes!  He sends his angels to set us free and to strengthen us.  He gives us the Holy Spirit to make us powerful witnesses!  But it is still up to us to decide whether we will obey God or men!

Prayer: Lord, you have set me free from the bondage of sin.  Now set me free from fear so that I may  be a bold witness for you.  May I not be silent in these days when this world needs you more than ever before.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 69:29-36

29 But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high!

30 I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

31 This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.

32 When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

33 For the LORD hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them.

35 For God will save Zion and build up the cities of Judah, and people shall dwell there and possess it;

36 the offspring of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall dwell in it.