A. The Sovereign Lord

“Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them . . . to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:24, 28). In the beginning there was only God. He created the heavens and the earth. The universe is sustained in Him. Whatever God determines to be done will be done. He knows tomorrow’s headlines and what will happen a day, a year, a century, and a millennium from now. He is the sovereign God. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18).

B. The Self-revealing Lord

We are told that when the disciples prayed, they quoted from the Old Testament Scriptures, and they reminded themselves of all that God had promised to do and all that He had already done. In Acts 4:26-27, they recognized their dependence on God to reveal Himself to them. God had revealed Himself to them through the prophets and the kings such as David. Do you know God? Has God revealed Himself to you? He will as you read His Word, open your heart to His Spirit, and pray. Jesus said, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God” (John 7:17).

C. The Seeing Lord

As these Christians prayed they said, “Lord, look upon their threats” (Acts 4:29). These Jerusalem Christians were not looking at their problems, but they were looking at the power of Almighty God. They were not thinking about the possibility that Peter and John might be returned to prison; they lifted up their voice to God. They waited on Him. They expected God to do something.

When difficulties arise in our churches, what a difference it would make if we would get down on our knees together and wait before the Lord as these early Christians did.

I read a story of a group of Christians in a rural area who decided they would pray for much-needed rain. As they were going to the prayer meeting, a little girl brought a large umbrella. They wanted to know why she brought it for there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. She was surprised and she said, “We are going to ask the Lord for rain, so I will need this umbrella on the way home.” They were indulgent. When the prayer meeting was over, to their amazement and embarrassment, they heard the sound of thunder, and a heavy storm burst upon the area. The downpour continued all night. The little girl got home with dry clothes because of her firm belief in God’s power that had not been clouded by skepticism. Our Lord said, “According to your faith be it done to you” (Matthew 9:29). This is still the divine decree.

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
Where noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.