Acts 4:23-37 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.… I. God Almighty (ver. 24). It is good sometimes to think of the affluence of the Divine power. Take, e.g., the central object in the heavens which God has made: the sun — diameter, 112 times that of our own earth; surface, 12,611 times that of our earth; volume, 1,400,000 times that of our earth. Sun's light — 800,000 times greater than that of the full moon, 22,000 million times more than that of the most brilliant star. The sun — the source of light, heat, life. And yet, all the manifold action on this earth of ours is carried on by the two thousandth three hundred millionth part of the force radiation by the sun. For that is all the earth can grasp of the sun's rays given out in all directions. It is by this pitiable fraction of the sun's mighty power that all the earth's work is done. Now, God is a Sun — how limitless His power, etc. II. As ALL-WISE GOD. David, thousand years before, sang, yet prophesied: "Why do the heathen rage," etc. (vers. 25-27). That is to say, that which was predicted is now taking place. Thou are not, O God, taken by surprise and disappointed. Disastrous as it seems to us, it is shining clear to Thee. III. AN ALL-CONTROLLING GOD. "For to do whatsoever," etc. (ver. 28). Mystery here, but comfort. Here is the great helpful truth that God controls. IV. This almighty, all-wise, all-controlling God, LAID HOLD OF BY PRAYER (ver. 24). No thought unto them that such a God could not answer. V. This almighty, all-wise, all-controlling God, laid hold of by prayer, THAT IN THEM THE DIVINE WILL MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED. They do not ask to be released from persecution, but that in their present circumstances they may be enabled to accomplish their Christian duty (ver. 29). They ask for magnificent self-surrender. Thus they take sides with God. They are as One with the nature of things. Defeat is impossible, Theirs must he the deliverance of victory. Application. Do not let your trouble get between you and God. Let your trouble shut you up to God. (Wayland Hoyt, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. |
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