August 17, 2021 – Acts 12-14

Thrown into prison by Herod, miraculously freed by God, and returned to the disciples, Peter “described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison” (12:17). The Lord took care of his own. On the other hand, when Herod allowed the people to address him as a god, “an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory” (12:23). It’s good to be one of God's own!

And sort of a summary statement: “But the word of God increased and multiplied” (12:24). The “But” is there as a word of contrast, that is, although Herod and others fought against God and his purposes, nevertheless, God’s plans moved ahead. How did the Psalmist put it? “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed . . . He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision” (Psalm 1:2,4).

And so, the Lord sent his Holy Spirit to Antioch, and he said to the church there: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (13:2). “So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus” and so on. Let the enemies of the gospel oppose it; still, it moves forward!

Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is King;

Tell it out! Tell it out!

Tell it out among the nations, bid them shout and sing;

Tell it out! Tell it out!

Tell it out with adoration that He shall increase,

That the mighty King of glory is the King of Peace;

Tell it out with jubilation, let the song ne'er cease;

Tell it out! Tell it out!--Frances R. Havergal (1872)