Daily Devotional Wednesday 26th February 2020
by William MoodyActs 5:17–26
The Apostles Arrested and Freed
17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
(ESV)
Jealousy is always a dangerous feeling and here it resulted in the disciples being put into prison (v17-18). Are you jealous of others? Pray about this.
Here we see both a wonderful deliverance and wonderful courage as the angel rescues the apostles (v19) and leads them to preach once more in the temple courts (v20).
There is certainly an amusing aspect to this story as they discover the jail empty and then find the apostles once more preaching (v22-26). God was in control and not the Jewish leaders.
Pray for brothers and sisters in Christ across the world who have been imprisoned for their faith.
The high regard the apostles had among the people now protected them (v26b). God has many different ways in restraining evil.
Here we see why we can be courageous in sharing the Gospel. God is always one step ahead of His enemies. God is in control and can deliver His people as He chooses. We must not fear what man can do to us, we must trust in the Lord to help our witnessing.
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