Acts 5:12–42
Be still: Lord help me cut out the distractions of the world to encounter to you in your Word. Amen
Read: Acts 5:27– 42
For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men. (vv38-39)
Encounter When I was fourteen, I was convinced God wanted me to be an accountant. I bet my life on it by taking triple Maths at A-level. Then I sensed God calling me to lead worship, so I packed up my life and moved to Birmingham for an internship: I went on a retreat; I sat in a theology lecture, and something shifted. The dream moved from worship leading to teaching, so I enrolled in seminary.
Those were major turning points, but between them were smaller moments of sensing God’s leading: to encourage someone, pray for a need, give a gift, apply for a job, leave a job, or invest in a friendship.
Our daily task as disciples of Jesus is to keep in step with the Spirit as he leads. But how do we discern his leading? And was fourteen-year-old me wrong?
In Acts 5, the Pharisees are trying to discern whether the followers of Jesus are dangerous heretics or the people of God. Some are unsure, and in their uncertainty, they want to shut the movement down. So often, a lack of certainty makes us want to stop everything.
Then Gamaliel speaks with wisdom: 'Leave these men alone. If this is merely human, it will fail; if it is from God, you will not be able to stop it.'
Gamaliel recognises that God is sovereign. That does not mean discernment is unnecessary, but that God’s purposes will prevail.
The principle for us: when you lack certainty, trust God’s sovereignty.
Gamaliel says that if they are wrong, it will come to 'nothing' and so will our missteps. But let’s remember that God created the cosmos out of 'nothing'. Our well-intentioned missteps provide material God uses to bring about his will.
Apply: Think of one decision you are currently unsure about and ask God to give you confidence in his sovereignty.
Devote: Lord, teach me to keep in step with your Spirit. Thank you that your purposes stand and that you will guide and redirect my missteps for your glory.