“After their release Peter and John went back to their own people
and reported what the chief priests and elders had told them.
And when they heard it,
they raised their voices to God with one accord
and said, “Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth
and the sea and all that is in them,
you said by the Holy Spirit
through the mouth of our father David, your servant:

Why did the Gentiles rage
and the peoples entertain folly?
The kings of the earth took their stand
and the princes gathered together
against the Lord and against his anointed.

Indeed they gathered in this city
against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed,
Herod and Pontius Pilate,
together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
to do what your hand and your will
had long ago planned to take place.
And now, Lord, take note of their threats,
and enable your servants to speak your word
with all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal,
and signs and wonders are done
through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook,
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:23-31

I would have wanted to be there when Peter went into this speech. You know how awe inspiring it must have been to feel the Earth move under your feet at the name of Jesus being said. This was just days after Jesus was laid to rest. Here is Peter, just being threatened by the leaders of the times not to preach any more in his name, but yet being bold. He had a calling in his heart, stood up, and let it be known. The same guy who, just days before, was saying… I don’t know this Jesus character.

That, my brothers and sisters, is the power of repentance. Even the ones who rebuffed Jesus, can still have a change, and come out bold in His name. Even the worst of sins can be healed, if one has willingness to repent his ways. God wants us to be bold with Him, and he will take you as you are, if you just change your ways and follow his lead. I think we are all like Peter, and we can all be just as bold, no matter what our situation.