One day, Peter and the apostles were thrown
into prison for preaching the Gospel; but the
Lord sent an angel to break them out. Then the
angel instructed them to go to the temple and
continue preaching the Gospel. In the natural,
you would think that the best plan of action
after breaking out of prison would be to lie
low for a while, but that was not God’s plan
for the apostles that day.
When word got back to the Jewish leaders
that their prisoners had escaped and were in
the temple preaching, they had Peter and the
apostles brought back before the council. Then
the high priest asked them, Did not we straitly
command you that ye should not teach
in this name? and, behold, ye have filled
Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend
to bring this man’s blood upon us (Acts
5:28). I love how Peter and the other apostles
answered him saying, We ought to obey God
rather than men (Acts 5:29). If you always
keep that statement in mind when you are
faced with adversity, you will come out on top.
It doesn’t matter what other people say or
do, or who comes against you; you should
obey God rather than men. Keep your focus
on the promises of God and trust that He is
going to see you through. The Bible says,
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith (Revelation 3:22). Who are you
listening to? God will work everything out for
you according to His will if you will trust Him
completely.
Peter and the apostles stood up for the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, and they let the high priest
and the council know that they were guilty
of crucifying Jesus. Those leaders became so
angry that they wanted to kill the apostles; but
fortunately, there was a Pharisee there who
gave some great advice saying, Refrain from
these men, and let them alone: for if this
counsel or this work be of men, it will come
to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot
overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to
fight against God (Acts 5:38,39).
Do Not Resist Jesus
Down through the years, people have tried
to stamp out the light of the Gospel; but they
have not been able to. Why?—because it is
not the work of men but the work of God. It
doesn’t matter how many people refuse to
believe the Word of God because the word of
our God shall stand forever (Isaiah 40:8).
God’s team is always the winning team. Are
you a part of that team, or are you sitting on
the sidelines wrapped up in fear and doubt?
Are you discouraging your brothers and sisters
in Christ by grumbling and complaining? The
Bible asks, Can two walk together, except
they be agreed (Amos 3:3)?
God’s children need to walk together in the
unity of the Spirit to be able to do all the Lord
wants us to do in this final hour. Child of God,
we already know who is going to win the fight
between good and evil—those who are bloodwashed
and living free from sin. You don’t
have to live in fear and doubt if you are listening
to the right things; but if you are not, you
will take on the spirit of resistance instead of
the spirit of cooperation.
If you are a sinner or a backslider, give your
heart to the Lord today because you are not
promised tomorrow. The devil wants you
to resist the Lord’s call to repentance; but if
you do, you might seal your fate just like the
Israelites did. They had to wander in the wilderness
for 40 years, and many of them never
made it out. Sinner, if you die in your sins,
you will wake up in the devil’s wilderness of
fire and brimstone; and there will be no escape
for eternity.
Our God is a merciful God, but His mercy
will eventually end; so don’t wait any longer.
This is the time to receive Jesus. Say the sinner’s
prayer located on page 6 of this magazine,
and open your heart and receive Jesus today.
The LORD our God will we serve,
and his voice will we obey.
(Joshua 24:24).
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