Feb 19 Devotion: Being Still is Active Obedience

Acts 1:12-14

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

         The disciples saw Jesus alive after he had risen from the dead and on this day, (before returning to Jerusalem) they saw him taken up into a cloud out of their sight. Now, we cannot diminish the truth of how unusual all these circumstances are. Jesus died but was raised from the dead. The one they followed for the last 3 ½ years was just caught up into the air out of their sight. What would they do now? How could they go on? They had trusted him with their lives and forsaken what had been their normality of life to follow him. But he was gone. What now? The answer is to keep on trusting God.

Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

         This was the command that Jesus gave them. After he ascended, what they should do was obey what he said. It is in Jerusalem that I will equip you so you can keep going forward for me. The answer to what is next is to keep on believing. The Lord was telling them, don’t let the unusual circumstances sidetrack you. I have a will for you, and I want you to fulfill it. Listen to my commands and obey. I’ll equip you with power from on high. So, for now, go to Jerusalem and wait.

         This is one of the hardest things for man to do. Jesus said, “wait”. This word is not synonymous with inactivity but is a necessary phase of activity. Notice that in the upper room they prayed. They came together in a spirit of “one accord” (united in purpose) and they prayed. They wanted what Jesus told them they needed and it would take faith and obedience to fulfill his will. So, they waited for God to give them what he had promised. It would be foolish to launch out on their own accord instead of joining together with the Lord in one accord. It would be foolish to attempt the ministry in their own strength, which is totally without sufficient ability to do the work. And so, they waited and they prayed. Both things showed their reliance upon God. Their obedient activity was to wait and pray. Sometimes, this is the most important part of ministry. Without it, we make our own plans and attempt it in our own strength. Let us “Be still and know” (Psalm 46:10) that God is God, he has all you need, he can supply your every need, and without him we can do nothing. (John 15:5)

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

In Christ’s Service,

Bro. Adrian Moore

2 Cor. 4:5