“6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.” Acts 12:6-7.
Have you gone through a situation where you feel God hasn’t come through to help you? What do you do when the miracle you’re praying, fasting and believing God for doesn't come? What do you do when after all your years of waiting, God still doesn't do anything?
Peter was imprisoned and to be killed by King Herod, but a night before the act was carried out, an angel of the LORD appeared to him and rescues him from the prison.
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.
Figuratively, the night is a time of weeping. It is a period of darkness. The night symbolizes a time of fear and insecurity. It signifies a season of sadness, despair and depression. The night season is a time of troubles, trials and pain. It represents a time of affliction, rejection and failure. Yet, the night is temporary. After every night, comes a glorious morning.
But the night that Apostle James sat in prison, the angel of God didn’t come. I’m sure he prayed for deliverance. But God didn’t show up. Probably the church in Jerusalem was in intercessory prayers for him. Yet James was killed. He was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. James knew the LORD personally. He was one of the innermost disciples of Jesus, often mentioned with his brother John and with Peter. Yet in the morning, James was still in chains. The LORD allowed the sword to fall on him as he opened Peter’s prison door.
“Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.” Hebrews 11:35.
James had an option to renounce Christ and lived. But he chose to die rather than abandon his LORD. Jesus had left this world to prepare a better place for His disciples. James was the first of the Twelve to experience what Jesus prayed for in John 17:24: “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”
James was not being neglected by Jesus. James died as a faithful martyr.
Beloved, there will come a time when Jesus’ prayer for us to be with Him will overrule our prayer for prolonged earthly life. And when it does, we’ll experience a life so far better than what we will ever enjoy in this world. While it was God’s purpose for James to die, and thus to glorify Himself, it was His will to rescue Peter from death, and thus to bring glory to Himself. God is Sovereign when our prayers are answered swiftly, and when they aren't.
“1 God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? 2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent.” Psalm 22:1-2.
Do you ever feel like God doesn’t care? Does He seem to be silent while you’re going through trials and troubles? Rest assured that God has not abandoned you. Wait on Him. He is a good Father. His plans are always for our good. God will never disappoint us.
“16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had such awesome faith in God. They were committed to serving Him only. These men knew the penalty for their disobedience to the king, and yet they stood firm in faith to the King of kings. They were devoted to Him more than they feared Nebuchadnezzar. He gave them one last chance to change their minds, to bow down and worship the idols. And that’s when they made their bold declaration, “Our God is able to deliver us.” As they stared at the fire, they proclaimed their faith once again. But they didn’t stop there. The three pious men made another bold declaration. "But even if he doesn't…"
Have you ever stepped out in faith, believing God was able? Have you ever put everything on the line for Him, knowing without a doubt that He had called you? What if you risk everything and God doesn’t come through? What then? You might be thinking. God is able. If He calls us, He always provides. God cannot lie. His promises are forever and always.
Sometimes when circumstances are difficult, it can be tough to keep the faith. But God desires that we trust in Him—even if our prayers are not answered.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted God unconditionally. Their faith in God was without limitation or reservation. They had absolute trust in Him. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had blind faith in God and His promises. Even if He chooses not to deliver them from the fiery furnace, they were determined to stand firm and be faithful. Even if God left Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the furnace of affliction, He would still be God.
1. We must understand that His ways are higher than our ways.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8.
God sometimes does things that we cannot understand. He allows things to happen to us that do not make sense. Yet, this does not mean that God is wrong in what He does, only that we cannot understand His ways. Though what you’re going through may not seem good at the moment, the Bible says that ultimately behind everything God does is His eternal goodness. So, during times of uncertainty, we should turn our lives over to Him and allow Him to do what is best. His plan has a greater purpose. Even when we can’t see it, His ways are better. He sees the bigger picture and He’s writing the greater story. We may not always understand His ways, but we can always trust Him. We don’t have to understand the “why” of God’s ways. But we do have to trust Him. His plan is still good, and He can still be trusted.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.
1. We must trust that He is still in control.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs 3:5.
Today, your life may be in one crisis or the other. You may even wonder if God is aware of what’s taking place and why is He allowing these things to happen. But we are reminded over and over again in the Bible to trust Him. We must acknowledge Him in all our ways.
Are you ready to trust God and give Him control? When you choose God to be in control of your life, you can experience true peace and freedom knowing He has a plan for you.
1. God will use everything for His glory and our good.
“The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.” Proverbs 16:4.
God has a purpose for our lives, and He will accomplish it. He has chosen us to be a people to bring Him glory. Everything we do is ultimately for His glory.
Yet, when bad things happen, we tend to wonder where God is, or why He allowed the bad thing to happen. But the truth is, God uses all things for good. You may not believe it at this present moment, especially if you’re going through a seemingly hopeless situation, but He is good. Therefore pursue a daily relationship with God. Spend time in His presence. Refuse to be discouraged. Keep praying. Have an unconditional faith in God. Read and feed on the Word daily. Keep praising, even in the night season of your life. Have a positive attitude. Avoid murmuring and complaining. Rejoice always. Stay in His will. Don’t give up. Live for the glory of God and experience the abundant peace and joy He has planned for you.
“And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.
How is your relationship with God today? If you want to give your life to Jesus and start a new relationship with God, you can pray this prayer right now:
Heavenly Father, I come to You today. I know I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to save me and He resurrected on the third day. I repent of my sins and forsake them. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior and surrender my life to Him today. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, you are now a child of God. The mistakes of your old life have passed away and He has made all things new. So stand firm in the faith.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11.
PRAYERS:
1. Thank You, Father, for being my Rock and Refuge.
2. O LORD, when the storms rage around me, help me to always rest in You, in Jesus’ name.
3. Heavenly Father, renew my strength, Help me to stand firm, in Jesus’ name.
4. O LORD, my heart is troubled but I will strive to keep it set on You, in Jesus’ name.
5. Thank You Father for answering my prayers.
