23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 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, 25 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?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
27 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, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 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.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
After Peter and John were released, they went to their friends and reported what the religious leaders had said to them. Their response was to immediately draw on Scripture and pray with recognition of God as sovereign over creation. They drew on Psalm 2 to ask the question, why do the nations and people rebel in futility against God and against His Anointed—Jesus? The religious leaders, by rejecting the apostles, continued their rebellion against Jesus and ultimately against God the Father. Their prayer continued to look at how the city of Jerusalem had worked together with Herod and Pontius Pilate, representatives of the Gentiles, against Jesus. Even though the Psalm looks to the time of tribulation (Rev 17:10-18; 19:11-21), they clearly saw a parallel in what had happened to Jesus leading to the cross and continuing now after His resurrection. They understood that the sovereign work of God allowed man to make his own choice without coercion and yet still fulfill the will of God. Despite the danger, the disciples didn’t pray for protection, they prayed for boldness to go out and continue to speak God’s word. They expected God to continue to work with miraculous signs through the name of Jesus to validate the message they proclaimed. The Father responded with a sign of confirmation, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and enabled to continue speaking the word of God with boldness just as they asked.
How do you respond to challenges you face? Do you ask for escape or protection? Or do you ask for boldness in your situation to make God’s name known? Where do you need boldness to proclaim God’s word today?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Obey Your Leaders: Romans 13-14