David Bahn – Reflections

Please pray these psalms with me on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 16:5-8

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.
⁶ The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

⁷ I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
⁸ I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶ The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    how he has brought desolations on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Psalm 76:1-2

In Judah God is known;
    his name is great in Israel.
² His abode has been established in Salem,
    his dwelling place in Zion.

Psalm 106:1-5

Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord,
    or declare all his praise?
³ Blessed are they who observe justice,
    who do righteousness at all times!

⁴ Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people;
    help me when you save them,
⁵ that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
    that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
    that I may glory with your inheritance.

Psalm 136 [a rehearsal of God’s mighty acts]

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁵ to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁶ to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁷ to him who made the great lights,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁸ the sun to rule over the day,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁹ the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁰ to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹¹ and brought Israel out from among them,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹² with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹³ to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁴ and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁵ but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁶ to him who led his people through the wilderness,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁷ to him who struck down great kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁸ and killed mighty kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁹ Sihon, king of the Amorites,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁰ and Og, king of Bashan,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²¹ and gave their land as a heritage,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²² a heritage to Israel his servant,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

²³ It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁴ and rescued us from our foes,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁵ he who gives food to all flesh,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016.
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 4:1-12

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

I’ve graduated! I’m no longer binging only on watching YouTube videos of off-road recoveries, watch repairs, or airplane finds. Good as those might be, I can sample one or two (fast-forwarding through the uninteresting parts) and go on to better things. Now I am watching a TV series about lawyers in a high dollar New York law firm. The “heroes” somehow manage to seize on a word of their opponent, a comment of a colleague or their own inspiration as just the right time. Then they unload. They cut to the core of their legal opponent’s arguments and manage to win the case. The right word, revealing truth, a chink in their opponent’s defence, or claiming the high (?) moral ground wins the day.

Peter is no lawyer. That would be more like the Apostle Paul. But Peter surely knows what to say and when to say it. Bold. Courageous. Clear. Powerful. True. Peter’s words on this occasion are all of those. They are also not because of a comment of a colleague, a misstatement of the chief priest or his entourage, or his own inspiration. Peter’s words come from the Holy Spirit. Luke makes that crystal clear: “Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people…” 

When I first learned more fully of the work of the Holy Spirit, I was struck by the completeness of God’s grace. Not only did he give his own Son for the salvation of the world, he also sent the Holy Spirit so that we would be brought to faith. We cannot believe in Jesus or come to him except for the work of the Holy Spirit. He calls us to faith, and engenders the very faith to which he calls us.

But, as they say on the TV Infomercials, Wait! There’s more! The Holy Spirit also sends people on God’s mission. Jesus said that the Apostles should wait in the city until the Holy Spirit comes upon them. He promised that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem (where they are at this point in time), and ultimately to the ends of the earth. Peter is speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Word of the Lord will grow – by the power of the Holy Spirit – and the number of believers will come to 5000 men. But, wait, there’s more! The Holy Spirit will compel the believers in Antioch to send Paul and Barnabas on missionary journeys to declare the Word of God.

The Holy Spirit was at work in those days through Peter and Paul, Barnabas and John Mark. But he’s not finished. He has worked to bring you and me to faith through the faithful witness of those who have shared the word of God with us. They shared just the right words with us. Words about Jesus. Words about God’s love and grace. Words that inspired faith. I hope to keep speaking those kinds of words whenever I can – all by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Acts 4:1-12

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

God is clear. Through the prophet Isaiah he declares: “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols” (Isaiah 42:8). He makes it clear in the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Jesus faced down Satan in keeping with this truth. When tempted by Satan, he responded, “You shall worship the LORD your God and him only shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10). 

So when Peter proclaims, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), he is making a claim for Jesus that is both exclusive as well as being extraordinary. It is obviously exclusive: no other name… But it is also extraordinary: Jesus must be God in the flesh if he is receiving this kind of glory and honor. God said it long before Jesus was born, “I, I myself will search for my sheep and seek them out” (Ezekiel 34:11).

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, fulfilled that promise. And now, because of his faithful life, his sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection he is properly called, “Lord and God” (cf. John 20:28; Philippians 2:11). Peter is reflecting that truth here when he says that there is salvation in no other name than Jesus. He is applying these profound realities:

• No one else died for the sins of the world.
• No one else totally defeated death and the devil.
• No one else has made the promise that whoever comes to him, he will never turn away (John 6:37).

No one else prayed that the cup would pass from him (that he would not have to die for the sins of the world), and have that request denied. Either God is a cruel, evil and sadistic God if there was another way than Jesus’ death, or there was no other way than Jesus’ death for our redemption and salvation.

Jesus prayed that God would glorify him with the glory he had before the world was created (John 17:5).

There is no other way, no other God, no other hope than Jesus. I hope I can learn what that means each day of my life here, and I look forward to experiencing it with God in the life of the world to come.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 4:1-12

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Jesus did it, and it got him killed. Well, actually it wasn’t his actions that got him killed. But he could have caved, said what Pilate and all the other religious leaders wanted him to say, and sidestepped his trial and conviction. But sometimes you simply must speak truth to power.

The truth in this case was that Jesus had died, but had been raised from the dead. He was now reigning at the right hand of God. He was still at work in the world, although he had gone on to the next, reigning at the right hand of God. The truth was and is that Jesus has the name that is above every name. At his name every knee will bow in heaven and on earth. One day every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

That truth was spoken by Peter to the powerful religious leaders of his day. I notice that it wasn’t just the high priest, but his family and a whole entourage of powerful men to whom Peter was speaking. I’d be intimidated. I’m not sure I could have stood up to these powerful men as did Peter. Sure, Peter was inclined to speak first and think later. But still…these are the power brokers of their day. They had lots of sway over the outcomes of this encounter. Yet Peter gives bold witness.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be confronted by such power, but I do know the truth. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. There is salvation in his name alone. His is the ultimate power and the purest truth.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 4:1-12

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

There is great comfort in the promise of God through the prophet Isaiah,

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
¹¹ so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:10-11

God’s word has been powerful from the beginning. When God said, “Let there be light.” There was light. And God saw that the light was good (Genesis 1:3-4). Jesus displayed this same power when he healed the lame man, stilled the storm at sea, or spoke peace to the disciples. And now it continues through the ministry of Peter and the Apostles. It was in Jesus’ name that the man was healed.

So it should not surprise us when we read that even in the face of strong resistance and the vociferous opposition of the high priest and the Sadducees, some people believed the word. And the church grew to 5000 souls. Peter and the others were preaching and teaching about Jesus’  death and resurrection. This is the message of forgiveness and salvation. This is the message of the cross and the empty tomb.

Martin Luther wrote in his famous hymn, A Mighty Fortress, that one little word can defeat the devil. So whenever we experience opposition to the truth of God’s word, we must recall the truth of the Bible, the Good News of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. God has promised that through faith in Jesus we are justified, forgiven, holy and blameless.

This is the word those early Christians believed. It is the word we believe and for which we give glory to God and praise to his name.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 4:1-12

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Maybe you never struggle with doubt. It’s all clear and decided in your heart and mind. You have heard God’s word. You have learned about Jesus. You believe. Doubt is not an issue. For me and many, however, doubt creeps up on us at the oddest times. I’m praying and I wonder, “Does this really make a difference?” I’m thinking about creation – the millions of stars and galaxies, black holes, and the expanse of the universe – and I wonder, “How did God make all this?” Or worse, “Did God really make all this?”

A more thoughtful and reflective consideration of these doubts and I am happy to say that the doubts recede to the dark abode of Satan where they belong. I believe! Help my unbelief, O God!

Worse than those niggling doubts are the outright false teachings and heterodoxy that some propose. Whether it’s the idea that there is no resurrection (the Sadducees), or those who will allow religion but not Jesus, these are at play here.

Today it’s the preposterous idea that there are to be only 144,000 people in heaven, or a man named Joseph Smith looked into his hat and translated golden plates into the book of Mormon. Others hold to the idea that all religions lead to the same god: Jesus isn’t necessary at best, or at worst, a deceiver or a misguided prophet.

And now that Pride Month is over can we not just celebrate Humility Month? I think not. So many ways to disbelieve – all way beyond doubt. Against that Peter speaks boldly, reminding the people then and there and us today that Jesus died, rose from the dead, and is at work in people’s lives. “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (v. 11-12).

I do sometimes doubt. Many people choose their own reasons not to believe. But the fundamental reality of Jesus’ love, God’s grace, and the blessings of fellowship with the redeemed centers my heart and calms my soul. This I believe without a doubt.

Please pray these psalms with me on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 9:1-2

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
    I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
² I will be glad and exult in you;
    I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Psalm 39:1-5

I said, “I will guard my ways,
    that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
    so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
² I was mute and silent;
    I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
³     My heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

⁴ “O Lord, make me know my end
    and what is the measure of my days;
    let me know how fleeting I am!
⁵ Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
    and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!

Psalm 69:30-34

I will praise the name of God with a song;
    I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
³¹ This will please the Lord more than an ox
    or a bull with horns and hoofs.
³² When the humble see it they will be glad;
    you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
³³ For the Lord hears the needy
    and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.

³⁴ Let heaven and earth praise him,
    the seas and everything that moves in them.

Psalm 99:30-34

I will praise the name of God with a song;
    I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
³¹ This will please the Lord more than an ox
    or a bull with horns and hoofs.
³² When the humble see it they will be glad;
    you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
³³ For the Lord hears the needy
    and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.

³⁴ Let heaven and earth praise him,
    the seas and everything that moves in them.

Psalm 129:1-3

The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!
    He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
² The Lord is great in Zion;
    he is exalted over all the peoples.
³ Let them praise your great and awesome name!
    Holy is he!

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016.
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 3:11-26

While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement. But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
“And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Moses said, ‘THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN; TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED to everything He says to you. And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’ For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”

When Jesus is dealing with his disciples, I can find myself in the story. Maybe I’m (doubting) Thomas. Could be (questioning) Philip. Maybe (brash) Peter. I might see myself as a Nicodemus character, or the one who cries, “I believe, help my unbelief!” This story presents a bit more of a challenge.

I don’t see myself in the crowd to whom Peter is preaching. It’s not obvious that I need to turn from my wicked ways. I’m certainly not perfect, but I devote myself to learning from Jesus, seeking his kingdom, and desiring his blessings. I truly do want to live under Christ in his kingdom and serve him eternally. But I don’t do that perfectly. And I truly do need to repent daily, for I sin daily.

Maybe I’m one of the bystanders, watching all this unfold, and wondering how Peter got to be so bold, dedicated, courageous, and faithful. I can look at those who really do need to find refreshment with God, having their sins washed away. I could be the lame man who has been healed and is clinging to Jesus with all his might.

We all fit in every page of the Bible in one way or another. It could be a sin to abandon, a promise to believe, a rededication to particular obedience, a joy to celebrate, a message to share, or a hope to cling to. But every story has a message for us that is shaped to point us to Jesus. We all need him, no matter where we find ourselves in his story of grace and truth.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 3:11-26

While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement. But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
“And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Moses said, ‘THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN; TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED to everything He says to you. And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’ For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”

A few years ago, when we were visiting our Germany family, the pastor of their church observed that most people don’t have a trust problem when it comes to faith, they have a surrender problem. He was suggesting that people are willing to trust God, they just don’t want to surrender to his reign and rule in their lives. They’ll trust God. They just don’t want to obey him. He’s worth believing in for salvation and forgiveness, he’s just not going to define their morals or behaviors.

On the one hand it sounds quite palpable. Leaning into God’s love but not aligning ourselves with his laws seems quite appealing. That’s nothing new. Bonhoeffer spoke about this in his classic, The Cost of Discipleship, calling it cheap grace. He defined “cheap grace” as “the preaching of forgiveness without calling for repentance, and a life that reflects God’s love and faithfulness, values, and purposes.

Peter says, here:

Moses said, ‘THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN; TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED to everything He says to you. And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’ For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”

As I read those words, I was reminded of that pastor’s comments. But a closer look points to a much deeper appreciation of what God wants for us all. And it’s far more rich and blessed than surrender. Good as that may be – after all, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father (cf. Philippians 2:9-11). God rules above all. He has the last word and has already spoken the first word, “Let there be light.”

But look where Peter goes with his call that we take heed! He points us to God’s initial promise to Abram. God initiated this gift and made the first promise. All that in spite of the wickedness of our ways. This reminds me of Martin Luther’s observation about Jesus being our Lord. He says that Jesus is our Lord, because he is our redeemer. He goes on to say that Jesus has redeemed us so that we may live under him in his kingdom and serve him in everlasting innocence, righteousness, and blessedness.

Surrender seems much less a biblical theme than faith, grace and truth. God wants hearts turned to him in faith and love much more than he wants to keep people groveling in dire angst and surrender. Let’s listen to him! Believe in him. Love and serve him. This is the way of true life.

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Acts 3:11-26

While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement. But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
“And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Moses said, ‘THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN; TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED to everything He says to you. And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’ For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”

“Hit ‘Refresh!’” If the website won’t load, you refresh it. Sometimes that works. You are able to see what you need to see and get the information you need. 

I just need a few minutes to sit in the pool, enjoy a cool drink, and refresh myself. Maybe you’ve said something like that.

But webpages and dips in the pool don’t always work. And even when they do, the results are not permanent.

True refreshment, however, comes from repentance and faith in Jesus. This is what Peter promises these people. “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” he says to these people. Refreshment comes from sins’ banishment. It is possible for those who repent. It is experienced in the Lord’s presence.

Being refreshed is a fleeting thing. It comes and goes. There is always need for more. But we can thank God that in his presence we may be refreshed. He forgives those who repent and return to him. He removes our sins from us so that they do not hold sway over us. He gives times of refreshment this side of heaven as a foretaste of the perfect and eternal refreshment of the life of the world to come.

Whenever you experience any semblance of being refreshed, let that remind you of God’s love, promises, and the blessings of his presence in our lives.