Today’s Reading, Acts 11-12
Focal Scripture: Acts 12:7 “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him up and said, “Quick, get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists.”
Do you believe that God still works in the lives of people? In a seminary class I was in years ago we were asked if God speaks to his people today in miraculous ways. Almost everyone said he only speaks through the Bible. I was in shock by this response. I do not believe this will be a normal experience but to deny that God can and does work this way is astounding.
In today’s reading Peter is in prison. James the brother of John has been martyred. Herod is on the rampage against believers. Once Peter is put into prison the church begins to pray for him. That night an Angel strikes Peter in the side and leads him out of his situation. When he comes to his friends they do not believe that it is him. Even though they have been praying for his release. They have a hard time believing that what they prayed for is actually happening.
So what does this mean for believers today? First, do you believe that God will hear your prayers? Do you have faith that if your prayer is answered it won’t shock you. Then do you believe that God can decide to work in anyway he chooses. He can send an Angel. Speak to you directly or any other means that accomplishes his will. These extreme events will be rare but still possible.
In God’s divine providence he got Peter out of prison. God works when he wants and how he wants. Our job is not to limit God. Far too often we try to tell God how he must work or how things will happen. We need to trust that God will speak however he chooses. We let the abuses of others in Christianity scare us from believing in the divine.
My challenge for you today is to trust God and understand his providence is divine.
Tomorrow I plan on reading Acts 13-15
