“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him” (KJV, Acts 5:30-32).
“The God of our fathers”
Father, You are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You have been a relational God from the beginning of creation. You have not abandoned Your creation, although man has sought to keep You at bay. Instead, you have pursued despite much rebellion and have made a way for man to know You.
You entered into a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You declared that through them, the nations would be blessed. You fulfilled Your promise by sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to the earth to atone for the sins of mankind. You have been faithful and are deserving of praise.
“raised up Jesus”
Not only did You send Jesus to die for my sin, but You also raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at Your right hand. I do not serve a dead Savior but a living One. Nor is my Savior distant, but He lives within.
Paul prayed, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know… what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead…” (Eph. 1:17-20).
Father, I pray that You would give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation and that You would open the eyes of my understanding so that I, too, would know the power that is offered to me in Christ.
“whom ye slew and hanged on a tree”
It is a blessing to know that Christ died for my sin. What a remarkable display of love and compassion. You have done what I could never do. You have made it possible for me to know and be reconciled to You.
I was at odds with You and bound by sin and death. I had no hope of breaking free from the chains that kept me as a prisoner. Nevertheless, You sent Your Son to die for me and canceled the record of debt that stood against me by nailing it to the cross.
You broke the power of canceled sin and united me with the One Who died to the law. Sin’s power has been broken, and I have been set free. In Christ, the victory has been won, and the curse has found its substitute. Thank You for my blessed substitute. He is far greater than I deserve.
“Him hath God exalted with his right hand”
Thank You for exalting Christ to sit at Your right hand. He is deserving of praise, honor, and glory. It is incredible to see that the One Who died for me now sits at Your right hand, never ceasing to intercede for me. Not only did Jesus live for me on this earth, not only did Jesus die for me on the cross, but Jesus lives for me in glory.
While the death of Christ saves me, I am much more saved by His life in heaven. He imparts to me His divine life each day and saves me from sin’s power. He ever lives to intercede for me and stands as the perfect Mediator between God and man. What a blessing that Christ is at Your right hand.
“to be Prince and a Saviour”
Not only is Jesus a Savior, but He is also a Prince. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus. The Father has granted the Son the scepter of righteousness and has placed Jesus upon His heavenly throne. May Jesus rule in my heart today. Help me to make the rule of Christ more than mere outward performances of religious duty. Instead, I pray for an inward life in which Christ sits upon the throne of my heart.
Jesus, teach me what it means to look to You as my Savior. So often, I can look to you for forgiveness and salvation from the wrath of God but turn to myself as my personal Messiah from sin’s grip. However, Your Word tells me that You are my Savior. Thus, I must learn to rest in You and turn to You as the Savior of my life. You have determined to save Your people from their sins, not just forgive them. Save me this day from the sin in my life and help me grow holiness.
“for to give repentance to Israel”
You have come to give repentance to Your people. Help me to be dependent upon You. Your Word tells me that faith is a gift from God. Here I see that repentance is a gift as well. Jesus is declared to be the Author and Finisher of my faith and the One Who gives repentance to His people. Jesus, will You help me to fix my eyes upon You this day? You are worthy of my attention.
“and forgiveness of sins”
Not only do You give repentance, Jesus, but You also grant forgiveness of sins. I have sinned greatly and have rebelled against You. Would You forgive me for my sin this day? Help me to live a life of humble confession before You while recognizing that I need Your cleansing work in my heart. You have died for me, and for that, I am thankful. You incurred the wrath of the Almighty God, and I could never know what that truly means. However, I am indebted to You for Your work.
“And we are his witnesses of these things”
You have told me that You called me out of darkness and into Your marvelous light so that I, too, could be a light in this dark world. You have told me that the Christian is the salt and light of the world. Therefore, I must not set the lamp that You gave me under a basket, but I must let it shine.
You have given me seed to sow. Your Gospel message must be shared with both the lost and the Christian. Your Gospel is the power of salvation throughout one’s life. Through it, the unbeliever comes to know God; through it, the Christian is sanctified.
“and so is also the Holy Ghost”
I thank You that I am not alone as I share Your Gospel. You have promised that Your Holy Spirit will also be a witness for You. Teach me never to speak a word for You in my own strength. The most eloquent preaching will fall on deaf ears without Your Spirit. When Paul went to the Corinthians, he did not go with plausible words of wisdom but with a display of power by the Spirit of God.
Your Holy Spirit is Who I need. Please, give me a greater measure of Your Spirit. Cause me to walk according to the Spirit. Teach me to submit to the Spirit’s leading in my life.
“whom God hath given to them that obey him”
God has given the Holy Spirit to those who have turned to Christ in faith and repentance. Thank You for the Holy Spirit and the baptism of Your Spirit. Thank You that I am united with Christ through baptism, and Christ dwells in me. Teach me not to make obedience about my efforts alone. Help me to rest in Christ, yield to His working, and allow Him to live His life through me.
Without Christ, I can do nothing. I will only bear fruit as the Vine works His will through my life. Christ alone is the Savior. But I pray that You would teach me what it means not to hinder His work and to let Him live through me. Open my eyes to the mystery of Christ within the hope of glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.