Navigating trials and times of trouble

Our passage is in the context of the healing of the lame man who sat in front of the temple. When Peter and John said, "Silver and gold we do not have, but what we do have we give to you: In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Then Peter and John lifted their voices and started preaching about the resurrection of Jesus, and 5,000 people began to believe. While some celebrated and glorified the name of Jesus, the Pharisees and Sadducees were greatly annoyed because Peter and John were disrupting their religious establishment!

The Pharisees were probably still basking in their victory over killing Jesus, and all of a sudden, there were more of these 'crazies.' Like cockroaches, you step on them and all of a sudden, all the babies come out.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were so annoyed because they were crediting Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had killed, as the one who healed this man. The disciples were not preaching the rules of the establishment; they were preaching resurrection!

Peter and John got arrested and testified boldly in front of the religious elite: “When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and discovered that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized that these men had been with Jesus.”

The Pharisees and Sadducees finally released them because all of Jerusalem heard what had happened. In the end, they told Peter and John not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus anymore and threatened them.

The proclamation of the Gospel was just outlawed for the first time in history! This is where our passage picks up today…

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’

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. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 4:23-31

Have you ever found yourself in a place where you did something good, maybe at work or amongst your friends, yet suddenly the tables turned on you, and you were being attacked or reprimanded for the very good work you did?

I believe this passage offers us keys on how to handle trials and times of trouble, as well as persecution.

Unfortunately, our rent contract was running out in in a few months, and the apartment too small - felt God saying we should leave the place and he would open a door to buy a building - no money - September gets closer and closer - no idea what to do - 21 day fast - nothing from God until the last day - we waited on the Lord - these were the things we felt the Lord was saying to different people:

• A long fountain of water

• Number 7

• Building with a pointed roof

• An Eagle

• God delights in us

• Name of a neighborhood called khalda

Drawing on the Power of Community

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

The first thing Peter and John did was to seek out the fellowship of their brothers and sisters and to be united with them.

In times of trial and tribulation it is of the essence that we have a tribe, a community or a small group that provides a space you can share with them, people who are ready to listen, friends who can give wise counsel, but above all group that is ready to pray with you and on behalf of you.

Don’t allow problems, challenges, trials, or fears to separate you from your spiritual family.

That's exactly what the enemy wants. He wants us to feel lonely, fearful and hopeless, isolated and as if nobody cares.

After they returned to their own, what did they do?

When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

Drawing on the Power of Prayer

In times of trial and persecution, we need to draw on the gift of prayer!

Because where there is prayer, there is power.

How to Pray

Let’s look at the first part of the prayer:

“Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’

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. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

Declaring the Sovereignty of the Lord

First, the disciples acknowledge the supreme authority of God, and they remind themselves of what the Lord has done.

Remind yourself in place of Prayer of the faithfulness of God and his sovereignty.

Petitioning the Lord

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Drawing on the Power of the Holy Spirit

After this daring prayer it says this: 

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Prayer invites the coming of the Holy Spirit.