Acts 11

“So the Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” Acts 11:21 NIV

As I woke up this morning, I checked our local temperature and it registered as being -32 degrees Celsius and with the slight wind, it feels like -41. I am not bragging that I live in a place that reaches frigid temperatures, but only to say that we need to plug in our vehicles so that they will start the next day. My action of plugging in the vehicle is required, but it’s not my action that is worthy of praise; it’s the workings of electricity and the part that the extension cord plays.

In the verse above, we read of an extension cord of sorts, which is the Lord’s hand. Yes, the apostles were commanded to spread the word of salvation through Christ Jesus to all people, but the glory and praise belongs to the Lord, for it was His hand that was with them. The disciples could speak to the outward ear, but it was the Lord who would soften their hearts and consciences. It was this softening that led to their believing and being convinced of the Gospel truth. To turn away from a careless way of living and into a way of living that is holy, spiritual, and pleasing to God.

Our job as believers is to tell others in accordance to Scripture and with simplicity, the good news of salvation. May we be reminded and encouraged that faith and conversion are wrought by the hand of the Lord and are His work. And it should only be the hand of the lord that receives all praise and admiration.