Daily Devotional

: Cut to the Heart

Acts 2:29-37

[Peter speaking] "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, 'The Lord said to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'' Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles,! "Brothers, what shall we do?"

Thoughts for Today:

Scripture is like that -- it "cuts to the heart" (verse 37). So often I think I'm the one who needs to speak fine and eloquent words to witness effectively, as if my words are the main factor in someone's decision to come to know Christ. I've got news for you -- my words and your words don't matter much.

If you look at our story, it appears Peter has done a scholarly job of interpreting Scripture as well as prophesy relating to the Messiah. His words are convincing and convicting, so therefore it was Peter who led three thousand people to Christ that day, right? Wrong. Just the opposite is true. Peter was a fisherman; he wasn't a scholar (like Paul); so where did he get the words? Answer: he was fully surrendered to the power of the Spirit. The Word (Scripture) was in him and the Spirit was upon him -- he was simply an instrument.