Acts 4:23-31 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, 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, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 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.
1 samuel 7:12 "then samuel took a stone and set it up between mizpah and shen and called it's name "ebenezer", for he said 'till now the Lord has helped us. proverbs 14:15 "The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps."
"I am so troubled that I cannot speak… Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up His compassion?
psalm 77 "I am so troubled that I cannot speak… Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up His compassion? Then I said, 'I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the deeds of the Lord, yes, I will remembr your wonders of old.I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds…" And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
Reflection Questions
- Do you pray? If the answer is "no", why not? What do you believe God's reaction will be?
- In what ways has God moved in your life? When you remember these times, do you trust Him in the here and now?
- Do you speak God's word "with all boldness?" What do you need boldness to speak truth to-- friends, family, co-workers, neighbors? Do you believe God will grant you boldness if you ask?