Stand up Against Injustice and Abuse of Human Rights

Baptist Daily Devotional
Jul 4
2 min read

Rev. Tse Amable | July 4 2025 | Acts 12:1-4

KEY VERSE: “When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.” Acts 12:3 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

The story we are reading in our text is what happens when we fail to stand up against dictators and authoritarian rulers who violate people’s human rights and commit injustice in the nation. In Acts 12:1, we read that King Herod had arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. The church was too afraid to protest. Then King Herod went a step further and had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword (Acts 12:2). Still, the church did nothing.

Our key verse tells us that when King Herod saw that the killing of James pleased the Jews, he now stretched out his hands to arrest Peter, the leader of the Church, with the intention of killing him also. Years earlier, this same King Herod (known as Herod Antipas) killed John the Baptist for the “crime” of speaking against Herod taking his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias, as his wife. One reason why these heinous crimes are committed is that society stands aloof and does not stand up against these acts of injustice and abuse of people’s human rights.

Life is a precious gift from God and must be protected and defended by all of us, even at the peril of our lives. A popular quote says, “all that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”. Remember, when others are killed and you do not protest, one day you may also be killed and nobody will protest.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

When Jehovah confronted Cain after he killed Abel, Cain’s reply was, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” How can you demonstrate your concern for others whose human rights are abused? How can you be involved in the fight against injustice?

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I confess that I have not been your voice against injustice and violation of human rights. Please give me the courage not to be silent but to speak out and demonstrate when the lives of innocent people are taken away. Amen!

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 185: 2 Samuel 19 - David Returns to Jerusalem

DAILY word study: SEIZED The word “seized” in Acts 12:3 comes from the Greek syllambanō (συλλαμβάνω), which means “to lay hold of forcibly,” “to arrest,” or “to take captive.”

In the New Testament, syllambanō often denotes aggressive or hostile capture. Herod's seizure of Peter was not just an arrest—it was a calculated, strategic move to suppress the Church and gain popularity. This word reminds us how evil can be systemic—targeted and manipulative. But it also shows how God’s people become the target when they refuse to bow to fear.

Reflect on this:

Has my silence made it easier for evil to take hold? When I don’t resist, what injustice am I allowing to grow?