Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 28, 2022: SOAP #4439:  Exodus 21-22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 4:27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

OBSERVATION: The apostles had been threatened, so they did what every believer should do: they prayed.  In their prayer, they confessed the sovereignty of God.  In the hatred contriving of Herod and Pilate, they had done what God had already “decided beforehand should happen!”

They had faith that God was still in control.  The threats against them would work out for their good and God’s glory.  Those threatening them could do no more than God would allow.  As the crucifixion ended in the resurrection, so God would work through their troubles for His glory. 

So, their prayer was not for God to free them from the persecution, but to give them boldness to speak God’s word. 

APPLICATION:  I am serving the same God.  I am involved in a ministry started by Jesus.  I am involved in a ministry carried on by the apostles in the book of Acts.  I am a part of God’s grand plan in preparing people for eternity.  (We all are!)  I have the same enemy they had.  AND I have the same Holy Spirit they had to bring victory out of what looks like defeat.

The important thing is not that I have it easy, but that God is glorified in me!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, do in me/us what you did in the book of Acts church.  Fill me and embolden me to speak on your behalf.  Anoint me to speak your Word effectively.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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