God's Holy Fire: 'Putting It in Context'

Friday, May 15, 2026

[Disciples praying to the Lord after Peter and John were released from jail:] "You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?'"
— Acts 4:25 NIV

Key Thought

The disciples proclaimed that what was happening in their day was what God had spoken through his servant David by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The violence and opposition that the early followers of Jesus were facing were not a surprise. They were expected. They were anticipated. They were prophesied years earlier by King David in Psalm 2. What's more, this message of the Holy Spirit was God's reminder that the opposition they faced would fail! Jesus, God's anointed, would lead God's people to triumph. The efforts of the nations and the rulers to stop the cause of Christ were - and still are - futile. And God had spoken this truth a thousand years earlier, through his servant David by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit - the same Holy Spirit who lived within each of those who were following Jesus and who also lives within each of us who follow him!

Today's Prayer

El Shaddai, God Most High, Almighty God, you speak, and our world is changed. So today, I pray that you will move with power and make the words of your servant David true in our day. Frustrate the power of the wicked. Defeat the efforts of those who would silence, harass, limit, marginalize, persecute, and kill the followers of Jesus. Frustrate the desires of the wicked and bring righteousness to life in our time and our world, through your people. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Your Plan and Your Power, God!
Devo: Unstoppable!
"As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. When they heard..."
They Prayed for Boldness
Article by Rubel Shelly
What would you have prayed for in this circumstance? Under persecution and difficulty, we most often need to pray for boldness instead of protection and ease!
Greater Things: Boldness
Article by Phil Ware
Where can I get a good dose of boldness and power? Phil Ware continues his series on Greater Things from Acts 3-4 and this one focuses on The Boldness Prayer of Acts 4:23-31.
Not Ashamed!
Virtual Worship by Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware
When people indicate they are open to talking about Jesus, I had better take the opportunity. There might not be another one. Phil Ware and Demetrius Collins bring us this week's ToGather with a focus on being bold and not ashamed of Jesus or his gospel, the good news our world needs in these dark times.
See All 6 Related Resources about Acts 4:25

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 4:25 NIV — "You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?'"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, May 15, 2026

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Gift that Cannot Be Bought' (Acts 8:18-21)
"When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. "Let me have this..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Dead to the World'
"Dear Disciple, Don't fall in love with what cannot ultimately satisfy or eternally sustain you. Many around you chase after things that do not last....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Philippians 2:5-8
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'He Does Not Ignore Their Cries' (Ps. 9:11-12)
"Sing praises to the Lord who reigns ... Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds. For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not..."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations