Luke the physician wrote how Peter and John were arrested for speaking to the people in the temple about the resurrection of the dead. They answered the “religious leaders” and were released after being threatened not to speak or teach in Jesus' name. Afterward, “they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, you are God, which have made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is. Who by the mouth of your servant David has said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against your holy child Jesus, whom you have anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, ...”, and in chapter four and verse twenty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter and John's own company prayed the scripture, “to do whatsoever your hand and your counsel determined before to be done” where we read:
For to do whatsoever your hand and your counsel determined before to be done.
The verse begins, “For to do whatsoever your hand ...” Luke began with the words, “for to do” which means “to produce, make ready, render and provide” “whatsoever your hand” which means “whatever your, God the Heavenly Father's, help, aid and protection” and the following desire. Luke shared how Peter, John and their own company deferred to God the Heavenly Father to provide for “whatever” help, aid and protection as well as the following He desired.
The verse continues, “... and your counsel determined before to be done.” Luke added the words, “and your counsel” which means “and your, God the Heavenly Father's purpose, advice and will” “determined before” or “foreordained, and appointed prior to and in advance” “to be done” or “to come into existence, be performed and made finished”. Luke shared how Peter, John and their own company also referred to the “predeterminate” purpose and will of God the Heavenly Father to be performed.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Peter, John and their friends and family of believers deferred to God the Heavenly Father's “purpose and predetermined will” to be performed. God was in charge, and through a relationship with His Son Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit these people would be used to further promote the Kingdom of God and gospel of Jesus Christ. God loves everybody, and His desire is to have them submit to His Son Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins and the granting of everlasting life with Him. Those who are wise always yield their own will and purpose over to God like these people did, and they therefore shall find He has purposed and willed what is best well in advance of the acts and deeds being accomplished.
Next time Luke shares how Peter and John with their own company pray, “Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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