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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Acts 4:23-37
Peter and John join the other disciples (called "their own company" in v. 23) and they repeat to them all that the rulers of the people have said. Then, instead of discussing what they must do, they make use of their common resource – prayer (see also Acts 6:4; Acts 12:5; Acts 12:12; Acts 14:23). They recognize in the rebellion of the Jews and the nations against God and against His "holy child Jesus" the fulfilment of the scriptures (though only partial as yet; this is why the apostles, when quoting Psalms 2:1-12, omit the terrible divine response to men’s provocations).
Boldness is the key word of this chapter (vv. 13, 29, 31). It has nothing to do with the fleshly energy which formerly pushed Peter to the front . . . and abandoned him a moment later. The disciples obtain boldness in response to their prayer. Let us imitate them at times when we lack courage.
Following on, in vv. 32-37, we find a new and magnificent description of the assembly in the freshness of its first love. Without pretending to return to this happy beginning, let us strive to put into effect the spirit of it in laying aside our selfishness and in seizing every opportunity to sacrifice ourselves for our brethren.
