ESOCS Devotional 22 September 2022
TEXT: ACTS 5: 12-26
MEMORY VERSE: “They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But that night an angel of the Lord opened the prison gates, led the apostles out, and said to them, go and stand in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new life.” Acts 5: 18-19 GNB.
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
The apostles were performing many miracles and wonders among the people. Consequent upon these great works, people brought out sick persons into the streets on beds and mats, so the apostles could heal them. Even those challenged in so many other ways, including the demon-possessed, were all delivered. Following these great fits, the high priest and the Sadducees were filled with envy and indignation. This led to the arrest and jailing of the apostles. But an angel of the Lord came at night and set them free, so the work of God could continue unhindered
Without any knowledge of the release of the apostles from prison, the high priest sent for the apostles, so they would publicly judge them in Jerusalem. But God’s angel had foiled their evil intentions. In answer to the prayers of the church, God had set free these innocent apostles through the action of an angelic jail break operation. Thus, God’s work of preaching Jesus continued in earnest. The opposition of all the powers of the Jewish religious organization could not deter the efforts of the apostles.
The same power of God is still available to believers today. Preachers and teachers of God’s word should always remember this. From the time John the Baptist preached this message until this very moment in history, the Kingdom of heaven has continued to suffer violent attacks from agents of darkness. But Christians must never under-estimate the power that is available to them through prayer. It is the power of God that is unleashed through persistent prayers that are based on faith. It was through the prayers of the apostles that the power of God was brought into action in their situation (James 5:15). Little wonder the Lord Jesus cautioned that believers ought always to pray, and never become discouraged, no matter the circumstances (Luke 18:1). See also 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
CHALLENGES: Herod killed James. He detained Peter, to be killed likewise. And with all the persecution going on everywhere, is it still worth labouring in the word ministry?
PRAYER POINTS: Lord Jesus, give me the grace to continue in this holy task, despite all odds.
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FURTHER READING: Judges 14: 1-14; Nehemiah 8: 13-18; Matthew 11: 20-30.
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ESOCS Devotional 22 September 2022
