April 17th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON ACTS 

WHAT IS RIGHT IN GOD’S EYES

Acts 4:19-20 “Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”  There was no way to deny the miracle Peter and John had performed. The man who everyone knew was unable to walk was walking. The Jewish leaders, however, remained concerned about the miracle and the fact that many people were believing that Jesus was the Messiah and Savior of the world.    

The Jewish leaders therefore, determined it would be good to silence Peter and John. They threatened them and told them that they could no longer preach and teach the message of the gospel. To their threats Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)   

The Bible says, “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:39-40) There is no way to prevent the spread of the Gospel. It is “ . . . the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)  

Prayer: Lord, give me the boldness of Peter and John to spread the gospel even when doing so brings threats to my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Spread the reign of God the Lord,  
Spoken, written, mighty Word;  
Ev’rywhere His creatures call   
To His heav’nly banquet hall. 

Tell how God the Father’s will  
Made the world, upholds it still,  
How His own dear Son He gave   
Us from sin and death to save. 

Tell of our Redeemer’s grace,   
Who, to save our human race  
And to pay rebellion’s price,  
Gave Himself as sacrifice. 

Tell of God the Spirit giv’n  
Now to guide us on to heav’n,  
Strong and holy, just and true,  
Working both to will and do. 

Enter, mighty Word, the field;  
Ripe the promise of its yield.  
But the reapers, oh, how few  
For the work there is to do! 

Lord of harvest, great and kind,  
Rouse to action heart and mind;  
Let the gath’ring nations all  
See Your light and heed Your call.

Spread the Reign of God the Lord // LSB 830

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