Scripture

When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “we can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”

Observation

Peter arrives back in Jerusalem, having shared the gospel with Cornelius’ household. Some of the Jewish believers criticise him for entering the home of a Gentile. Peter recounts the story of how he had the vision of the animals being lowered from heaven, his visit to Caesarea, and the giving of the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles.

When the others hear this, they stop objecting and start praising God. They rejoice that God is giving the Gentiles the opportunity to repent and believe the Good News.

Application

How often our preconceptions of what God will do prevent us from seeing what He is already doing. The Jewish believers thought that God would only save people like them, but God’s plan is much bigger.

Sometimes we get mentally locked in to a picture of the way God acts. It can be about people being saved- we might have a hard time believing that a particular people group can encounter God and believe the gospel.

Sometimes we think that a certain prayer or a way of praying is the only way to get a healing or some other miracle. Some people get fixated on a person- only the pastor or a particular celebrity preacher can pray for them.

Amazingly, God is much bigger than our preconceptions of Him. He will save anybody who turns to Him. He will use any prayer from any person to achieve His purposes..

Prayer

Lord, teach me how to see things as you see them, and not through the filter of my preconceptions. Amen.