DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHO'S IN CHARGE?

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – WHO'S IN CONTROL?

"But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: 'We ought to obey God rather than men.' " (Acts 5:20)

So, who is in charge? The leaders of the Jewish religion thought that they were. They had arrested the Apostles and put them in prison. But God showed that He was in control by sending an angel to open the prison doors and release the Apostles from their bondage. The guards were amazed when they did not find them in prison.

But they did find them again --- preaching in the temple. So, the Jewish leaders arrested them again, and said to them, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name?" Peter answered, " 'We ought to obey God rather than men.' " Peter recognized that his allegiance was to the higher authority that surpassed the powers of this world system.

Even one of the Pharisees name Gamaliel recognized that God was the higher authority. He said, " 'If it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God.' " (vs. 39).

Nevertheless, the Apostles were beaten, but that did stop them. After their release, they continued daily in the temple, teaching and preaching Jesus as the resurrected Christ.

At times, it seems that the powers of this world are in control. But we know that God is in supreme. We have to make the same choice that the Apostles had to make – to obey rules and laws that contradict God's revealed will, or obey God. May God help us to have that view of life – that God is in control and our allegiance is to Him, regardless of the price.

Love, Dad