Act 2:25-28 “For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.”
It is important to declare the truth of God according to the word of God. Here, Peter turns to the words of David in Psalm 16:8. There is much to be understood about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost in the Old Testament. We see many lessons for the church in what we should do (and not do) in God’s kingdom here.
Remember that this is a portion of Peter’s discourse to the Jews that were gathered on Pentecost. He was telling them about Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 2:22). David is also speaking about Jesus in Psalm 16:8. Jesus foresaw (to behold in advance and to keep in view-see Strong’s) the Father before Him in everything that He would suffer and accomplish for our sakes. He was confident that the Father would keep Him, that He should not be shaken from His course.
We see the truth of this when Jesus was tempted of Satan in the wilderness. Regardless of the things that Satan tempted Him with, the Father was always first in His thoughts. The Son of man knew that God was always there to hold Him up. Even when Jesus went into the garden to pray for the agony that He was facing to pass from Him if the Father was willing, He finished by saying “not my will, but thine, be done (Luke 22:42).”
Knowing that He should not be moved, He rejoiced in the faithfulness of God the Father. He gladly spoke of the love and power of the Father for Him and for us. Even though He knew His flesh was going to suffer, die, and be laid in a tomb, He declared that His flesh would rest in hope. He knew His resurrection was certain, and that His soul would not be left in that departed or unseen state (see Strong’s).
We hear Him declaring that the ways of life were understood by Him. This is evident in Jesus’ declaration that He would lay down His life and He would take it up again. He was full of joy because He could see the Father’s appearance in all that lay before Him. He would finish all the work the Father gave Him to do, and He would not be moved.
Peter preached these glorious truths about our Lord that day as he was moved by the Holy Ghost. Men were pricked in their hearts by that same Holy Ghost as Peter preached to them this Jesus of Nazareth from the words of David. There was, and is, power and great glory in the words of this gospel. Remember that we are joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
We should always keep our Lord in view. This is not difficult when our confidence is in Him and His word. He assured us that He and the Father would make us their residing place (John 14:23). Because He dwells with us, the storms of life may batter us, but they cannot destroy us.
Our hearts rejoice in the power and love of our Lord, knowing that He has covered us in His righteousness according to His grace. We lift our voices to give Him praise for all His wonderful works. Even in these failing bodies of flesh, we rest in the hope (confident belief) of all that He has done. He has made us know the ways of life and filled us with joy at His appearance.
May we look to God and praise Him for this Jesus of Nazareth who was and is approved by God!
