The Shake Up
Acts 4:29-30
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.
The Apostles were shaking things up. Their message of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection was causing controversy and making enemies of the religious leaders. They spoke about Jesus publicly, proclaiming that Jesus was the Messiah.
Peter and John were arrested because of what they said. The religious leaders released them with threats of further arrest and punishment. In their minds they were battling images: one of Jesus bloodied and dead, because of His words, and another of Jesus alive and powerful, because He is the Word.
They prayed, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29)
Whenever fear comes into our hearts, we should pray. Prayer allows us to pause and look at the situation. It allows us to verbalize our concerns to God and gives us confidence, because we pray to a living God.
Did God give them confidence? Yes, verse 31 says that God shook the place they were in and filled them with the Holy Spirit. What an incredibly motivating answer!
Ever feel like you lack confidence? Pray to the Lord for confidence and watch how He shakes things up and provides you with opportunities to live boldly.
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