April 15th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON ACTS 

GOD’S WORD ACCOMPLISHES THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH HE GAVE IT    

Acts 4:1-4 “The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.” 

God, through the pen of Isaiah, said that His word “. . . that goes out from my (His) mouth: It will not return to me (Him) empty, but will accomplish what I (He) desire(d) and achieve the purpose for which I (He) sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11) As vigorously as the Jews tried to silence the gospel, they were powerless to prevent it from doing its work. Everywhere the Apostle’s preached listeners came to faith in Jesus and the Christian church grew rapidly. 

Ever since Jesus’ Easter resurrection and Ascension into heaven, people in power within religious groups, governments, intellectual communities and so many other groups have attempted to discredit God’s word. This started with the Jewish leaders bribing the guards at Jesus’ tomb to lie about his resurrection. Intellectuals debate what the Holy Scriptures say as being factual. Countless efforts have been made to silence preachers and teachers of the gospel. 

God’s word is truth! (John 17:17) There is only one Savior and Lord as is clearly stated in Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Jesus said, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)  Prayer: Grant me, O Lord, faith to believe and trust what Your Word proclaims. Amen. 

Almighty God, Your Word is cast  
Like seed into the ground;  
Now let the dew of heav’n descend  
And righteous fruits abound. 

Let not the sly satanic foe  
This holy seed remove,  
But give it root in ev’ry heart  
To bring forth fruits of love. 

Let not the world’s deceitful cares  
The rising plant destroy,  
But let it yield a hundredfold  
The fruits of peace and joy. 

So when the precious seed is sown,  
Life giving grace bestow  
That all whose souls the truth receive  
Its saving pow’r may know.  

Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast // LSB 577

Public Domain // Used by Permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110000198