As we saw a few days ago, when we read Acts 3 and 4, the church had prayed for boldness. Now we see that prayer answered. Yet again there is opposition as the church expands. But the apostles will not be dissuaded by the opposition for they are responding to God not their circumstances. They knew that their purpose could not be thwarted, because it was of God. Gamaliel says as much in his speech to the Sanhedrin: “Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” He spoke the truth despite himself! Gamaliel was thinking of the many self-appointed revolutionary leaders who had led uprisings that had failed dismally. There is a kind of boldness exemplified in such cases, which is based in self-confidence. It is when I believe that I am the one for that job in the Kingdom, I have what this takes, and I should be the one leading this; and when I step out and do this God will join me in what I am doing. The boldness of the apostles did not arise from such self-confidence. They weren’t bold because they believed that God would help them in what they were doing. They were bold because they knew that God was drawing them into what he was doing. God is inviting you to step into the works that he has prepared beforehand for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). If you do, nothing will thwart you.
Ask God to draw you into his plan for you.
Read Acts 5:17-42
