19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. Acts 5:19-21

The Holy Spirit was moving once again in the jail house. But it wasn’t so that that the Disciples could flee Jerusalem to some foreign land never to be seen again. No, they went right back to the temple courts.

What’s interesting to me is that they had all night to think about what they were going to do the next morning. Maybe they had fitful sleep that might, but I don’t think so. It’s always nice, though, to have an angel of the Lord telling you what you should do, especially if you’re with someone else. That way you know that you weren’t the only one doing the same seemingly crazy things.

And going back to the scene of their “crime” was a crazy thing to do .

The Bible calls it faith and obedience. The angel of the Lord commanded them to do something and they did it.

In fact, the Bible is filled with words that challenge our faith and obedience.

We don’t have an angel of the Lord commanding us to do something. Instead we have the Spirit of the Lord encouraging us to walk in faith in whatever we do.

He challenges us to be obedient in the things we know to be right.

He doesn’t nag or belittle us if we don’t.

No, He is always drawing us to Himself because He knows that the way He has chosen for us is perfect and wise. If we depart from that path, we do so at our own peril.