“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” (Acts 4:16-17)
These Jewish leaders had a problem, but they didn’t pray to ask God for His wisdom. If they had, they might’ve considered the healing of the lame man transpired in the name of Jesus or that Jesus was the Messiah. Not consulting God resulted in confusion. They referred to their problem as “this thing,” and Jesus as “this name.” As a result of this poor leadership, many Jews did not know Jesus.
King David, a great Jewish leader, depended on God when he encountered problems. He wrote in Psalm 18:7: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.”
We learn from King David that praising God and consulting Him in prayer saves us in the midst of trouble.
Father, in the midst of trouble, you save me from anger and preserve my life. Thank you. Now I can love and do your work from a place of peace. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.