Acts Chapter 4: verses 18-21 (NIV-UK)
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But 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.’
After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.
Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin because of the miracle of healing. But most of all they were arrested for saying that the miracle had occurred in the name of Jesus. They appeared before Annas and Caiaphas, the very people who had tried Jesus and demanded His execution.
Peter was now in the very situation he had most feared on the night of Jesus’ trial. The very thing that had caused him to be afraid, and to deny even knowing Jesus. But now, in the power of the Holy Spirit, he and John spoke boldly and without fear, even when commanded to stop speaking in this way. We know that they spoke under the direction of the Holy Spirit because all of the praise and glory were being given to God, and not to Peter and John. And the Jewish Council knew that and were powerless to act.
If we are obedient to God’s commands, He will be with us, even when we have to face up to the circumstances or situation that we are most afraid of. It may well be speaking out about our faith, or being prepared to go against popular opinion. As long as we do so under God’s direction, and not in our own strength, then we can be assured that the Holy Spirit will be with us too.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for showing us in this incident how we can face the things we are afraid of in the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to stay in tune with what You want me to do and say, so that my confidence is not in myself but in You. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.