DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM PASTOR WESLEY June 24, 2024

Obedient to God

When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest saying, “we gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing … So, in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.” They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So, they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Acts 5:27-42

Sometimes obeying the Lord is difficult and costly. In some areas of the world, Christians are even persecuted for their faith. When Peter and the apostles were ordered to stop teaching about Jesus, they appealed to a higher authority, saying, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). What motivated them to follow the Lord with such conviction?

• God’s Sovereignty. The disciples recognized that God had carried out His divine plan of redemption through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Convinced that salvation was found in Christ alone, they had the courage to speak boldly about their faith. They did exactly what Jesus commissioned them to do and trusted Him to handle the consequences according to His good and perfect will.
• Thankfulness. The apostles’ obedience was also motivated by gratitude to God. Even after being flogged for their faithfulness to Christ, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer shame for His sake and kept right on preaching.

Since God has rescued us from the bondage of sin, forgiven us, and brought us into His family, grateful obedience should be our response, too. Each day is an opportunity to acknowledge His sovereignty over our life and to trust Him.

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