I’ve been really amazed by Peter in the book of Acts. His sudden character reformation post-Pentecost has always wowed me, but this trip through I am noticing something different: something deeper and more substantial. Peter seems to have a whole new grip on the sovereignty of God.
It first stood out to me in Acts 1. There’s a hole in the group left by Judas and it fell to Peter to fill it. But in that process, notice His words about God’s role in the process.
"Brothers," he said, "the scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through David." (Acts 1:15-16 NLT)
Peter inexplicably understood: Judas had sinned against God and heaven, but it had been divinely foreseen and factored into the plot-line. This is quite a departure from the man who had sliced off an ear at sunrise little more than a month earlier! Peter had evidently forgiven the betrayer and received Kingdom insight on the entire ordeal. He somehow understood, God redeems man’s sinful nature for Kingdom purpose!
Flip the page and see Peter’s certainty of God’s sovereignty come to the surface again. This time he was talking to the crowd, presumably on the Western Steps. He was masterfully presenting the case: the Jews crucified their Messiah. But note his unique perspective on the entire incident:
"But God knew what would happen, and His prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed Him to a cross and killed Him." (Acts 2:23 NLT)
Even in the blinding pain of personal loss, Peter could see the Almighty’s hand in the situation. Flip with me again to the third chapter. Peter is speaking to the gawkers who saw or heard about the lame man’s miracle.
"Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah – He must suffer these things." (Acts 3:17-18 NLT)
Once more, Peter states his absolute faith in God’s sovereignty. He has finally built his house firmly on the rock, sure that God’s will was being done despite the human failure factor. Peter was learning to trust the Father as the Son.
Next, let’s take a look at Acts 4. Peter and John had spent a night in the High Priest’s holding cell. Anybody else wonder where they kept Temple prisoners? Wouldn’t an inmate defile the Holy Place? And then I recall the empty cistern under Ciaphas’ house, where Jesus was held between arrest and trial. It’s quite likely that these two disciples endured another dark night in the same cold hole. Were they comforted by the previous prisoner or terrified by the reenactment? Either way, morning came and they endured another high priest interrogation, ending in empty threats and an unceremonious release.
Upon their return to the rest of the disciples, their first act together was corporate prayer. Look once more at Peter’s confident confession of God’s absolute sovereignty, despite his night spent in desolation.
"But everything they did was determined beforehand according to Your will." (Acts 4:28 NLT)
We need salvation. We require the Holy Spirit. And we also must have this kind of confidence in sovereign rule of God. Peter had picked up absolute trust amidst the very worst that life had to offer: betrayal, false allegations, corrupt judicial proceedings, denial and the death of a loved one. He came out on the other side of all that mess believing that heaven had factored every interloper into it’s trajectory.
“Who we are, what we love and how far we are willing to trust God
John Eldredge, Resilient
are revealed when we are truly hard pressed.”
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." (Romans 8:28 NLT)
Lord, teach us to rely upon Your Sovereignty as Peter did. Let us learn to let people off the hook as we trust Your ability to see far and wide and well. You have factored fallen flesh into the story – even ours. In the end, the gospel wins. Grow our confidence as we continue to follow You. Amen.