When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them…
Acts 4:23-24

Peter and John suffered real persecution for preaching Christ. What did they do? They said “we can do nothing but preach Christ!” (Acts 4:19-20).

The enemies of Christ did not know what to do with them, so they threatened them and let them go (v.21). Peter and John went back to the church and reported all that had happened (v.23). What did the believers do?

Did they protest? Plan a rally? Bad mouth their persecutors? Feel sorry for themselves? No. No. No. And No.

They praised God—specifically for His sovereignty over all things. The sovereignty of God over all things is a great solace when circumstances are not what we desire. I am reminded of Paul’s words in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us who can be against us?” Paul wrote those words in light of the good news of the gospel, but wouldn’t remembering them, when people (or circumstances) are against us, be a source of comfort? This does not minimize the reality or the pain of persecution. But it does remind us that ultimately, we have nothing to fear. Remember the words of Psalm 124:

(v.1-4) "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side," Let Israel now say— 2 "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, When men rose up against us, 3 Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us; 4 Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, The stream would have gone over our soul…

Opposition is real. But remember verses 6-8:

(v.6-8) Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth. 7 Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

Regardless of who or what opposes Christ and His people, let us praise God for His sovereignty over all things—including opposition.