Acts: Go & Be Chapters 10-18Sample

What is this passage saying?

This is a miraculous story of God’s provision for Peter. The story is like a movie! The Church is praying for Peter’s release. Tony Evans writes this about prayer. “Prayer is the divinely authorized method for accessing heavenly authority for earthly intervention.” As the Church prays God sends an angel to save Peter from some intense security measures. He was asleep between two guards and chained to them. This was nothing for God. When we read the Bible, we are much more confident of God’s ability because we know the outcome. We almost become numb to His mighty works in the Bible. Lord may we be awakened. The same God who set Peter free from the best Herod could do- is the same God who is Lord over your situation, trust Him. Once Peter is set free, he goes to Mary, the mother of John, to Mark’s house where believers are fervently praying for his release. A young woman named Rhoda answers the door to find Peter standing there! And in her excitement, she shuts the door on him, another movie moment. She tells the Church but unfortunately, they don’t believe her. Even though this was the very thing they were praying for. Once Peter is finally let into the house- he gives them instructions to tell James, Jesus’ brother, everything that happened and then he leaves. The next morning there is a great panic in Herod’s palace once it is discovered that Peter is gone. Herod has the guards killed and then leaves for another palace. Herod was consumed with his power- he was completely ignorant of the reality that he was a mere man treading on the grace of God.

What is this passage teaching?

Our circumstances do not define God. His plans are best. Before the miraculous rescue of Peter from Herod’s top security we read about James and that his deliverance looked different, but still as miraculous. We also learn the power of prayer. Prayer is a blessing afforded to believers. We, mere men, can approach the throne of God covered in the blood of His Son and speak with him. Prayer is personal and constantly available. There are no time restraints on prayer, we have unlimited access to the God of the universe. For too often we as believers forsake this privilege and seek to find comfort from our problems through man-made remedies. These remedies don’t last, and they certainly do not point us to the throne of grace. Depending on your way to cope with pain outside of prayer- this coping method could be the very thing drawing you away from God. As believers let our response be prayer. We will find that when we are consistently communicating with the all-knowing God, the worries of this world become less and less worrisome. Sometimes hardship in life draws us closer to God and can be a good thing. My momma told me that anything in life that makes you more dependent on the Lord, is a good thing.

How do I respond?

Make prayer a priority. Prayer will lead us to God, separating us from worries that so easily entangle us.