Down But Not Out
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Acts 5:12-42 and Psalm 7:1-17 (NIV)
(Andrew Tong, Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Psalm 7:1-17 and Act 5:41 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In Psalm 7, David was crying out to God about being falsely accused and unfairly persecuted. You can almost hear the desperation in his voice, the raw desperation as he cries out aloud to God for help. He runs and takes refuge in the righteous God and the Psalm ends with a thanksgiving to the Lord because of His righteousness.
In the passage on Acts, the apostles were similarly being persecuted by the High Priest, put in public jail and flogged for preaching about Jesus. They were finally released and ordered not to speak about Jesus. Their response upon being released was to rejoice and continue preaching about Jesus.
APPLY:
While I may not face the same level of persecution or suffering that David or the Apostles faced, like the rest of us, I too face many challenges in life. So many expectations to live out, from society, from family, from friends, etc. We can debate if perhaps I may have got my priorities wrong but put it whichever way, life can be hard, life can be challenging. I can learn from David, that in the midst of all my difficulties and false accusations, I can still find refuge in God. I can go to Him and express my deepest emotions. I can continue to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving because my God is a righteous God.
I must also take a leaf from the apostles. No matter what life throws at me, I must continue to live out my Christian life. I must continue to be joyful and be His ambassador.
DO:
Take some time before I sleep to thank God no matter what life situation I might be in. Make a conscious effort to stop complaining and grumbling especially at work.
I must learn to focus on Jesus and not on my current life circumstances.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, teach me to be thankful each day. Help me to focus on things beyond myself, to learn to rejoice no matter what life throws at me and to continue loving You and loving Your people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
