May 10, 2022
What does it say?
Peter and John were arrested and commanded not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Believers gathered to pray for greater boldness to testify of His resurrection.
What does it mean?
The cross did not stop Jesus’ influence, as the Jewish leaders had hoped, but served to focus and intensify the gospel message. Rather than silence His followers, their threats caused believers to gather to seek Him in powerful prayer. They praised God as Sovereign Creator and quoted Scripture relevant to their circumstance. Then, they laid out their obstacle before the Lord, even though He knew it more completely than they did. Their request was specific, asking for strength to overcome the opposition – not remove it. God answered definitively by filling these believers with the Holy Spirit, which caused their faith to grow deeper and their relationships to grow stronger.
How should I respond?
Identifying with the name of Jesus doesn’t mean a sudden end to life’s problems. You may even find that they intensify through spiritual opposition. What issue dominates your prayers right now? In light of that, what aspect of God’s character helps you to remember who He is? What verse of Scripture gives you particular comfort and hope? Lay it out before the Lord right now and rely on His Spirit for strength. The ability to boldly follow Christ in any situation is found in prayer and in the powerful indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.