Genesis 12 and Acts 4
In Genesis 12, we learn about Abram. God tells him to leave everything he knows and move on. In verses 2 and 3, God tells him he will bless him, make him famous, and be a blessing to others. He says he will bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him.
I don’t know how God told him this, but he believed it, and he obeyed. It took a lot of faith and courage for him to pack up everything and move away from his family. Do we have the courage to trust God and to move when he says so? He did. But then he winds up in Egypt, and he tells Sarai, his wife, to tell everyone that she’s his sister so his life will be spared and treated well.
I think about Abram and his wife trying to deceive others, trying to hide who they really were to save their own necks, and it ends up worse for them. I wonder how many times God has prompted me to say or do something, but I didn’t. How many times in my own journey have I lacked the courage to say or do the right thing? Does fear ever hold you back from doing the right thing?
It makes me think we have to be honest in everything we do. We have to trust God; He’s got a perfect plan for us.
Yesterday, Rhonda and I decided to brave the snow-covered roads to go to town. We were traveling slowly and cautiously because the roads were slick. As we crested a hill, a truck was barreling towards us, and the driver was on their cell phone. We came to a stop, and the truck flew past us, but it went too far over and appeared to get stuck. As I looked in my rear-view mirror, they weren’t moving. I was thinking, “Well, play stupid games, and you win stupid prizes.” There wasn’t anything for them to have hit, and they were gone when we came back through, so I guess they were OK. Reflecting on it now, I could have turned around to see if they were OK. But I didn’t. Maybe I was scared of what might have happened? I might have missed an opportunity to show the love of Christ. I pray for forgiveness for all the opportunities I’ve missed because of my own agenda.
In Acts 4, we learn that Peter and John are thrown into jail for sharing the good news. Then, upon their release, they don’t stop.
‘12There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under Heaven by which we must be saved.” ‘
Acts of the Apostles 4:12
They amazed the council with their boldness. I don’t know how many times we hear that all religions are a pathway to Heaven. Or if you are a “good” person, you will go to Heaven.
But this verse makes me think that that’s not true. Jesus saves us, no one else, and not our own good works. Can Christ save a non-believer? Well, he’s God, he knows our darkest thoughts, our hearts. He’s the Almighty God, creator of Heaven and Earth, so he can do whatever he wants. He is all-knowing and perfect, and he has perfect justice. But if I believe the Bible is God’s Holy Word, I’m not going to take a chance on anything or anyone else. In my personal walk, I’m putting my trust in Christ, the name named above all names.
Christ also commands us to make disciples of all nations. So we need the courage and boldness to share his message. I love the prayer and action the believers took when Peter and John returned.
Together, they quoted scripture, related their situation, and asked God for great boldness in preaching his word; they asked for signs and wonders to be done through the name of Jesus, God’s Holy servant. After they prayed, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
‘24When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— 25you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,
‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans?
26The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’“27In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. 29And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. ‘