August 1 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Acts 5:29-42:

²⁹Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
³⁰The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
³¹Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
³²And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
³³When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
³⁴Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
³⁵And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
³⁶For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
³⁷After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
³⁸And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
³⁹But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
⁴⁰And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
⁴¹And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
⁴²And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Devotional

Cain slew Abel, his brother, because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. "They mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy." They "slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to Thee." "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee." Thus it was also with the apostles.

But those who are persecuted are blessed and the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. So they have every reason to rejoice. "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heav­en: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." "Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy."

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." Peter writes, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

Prayer

Merciful God and Father, we thank Thee, that Thou at all times dost raise up faithful witnesses, who bear witness to Thy truth, in spite of sufferings and persecutions that come upon them for Thy name's sake. Grant that through their testimony many may be brought to a knowledge of the truth. Endue us with power from on high that we under all circumstances may have faith and strength to confess the name of our Saviour. En­able us to rejoice in suffering shame for his name. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: 1 John 3:12; 2 Chron. 3:6-16; Neh. 9:26; Matt. 23:37; 2 Tim. 3:12; Matt. 5:11, 12; Luke 6:23; 2 Cor. 4:17, 18.

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