For today’s meditation let us read, Acts 10:19-20, Peter was still trying to understand what the vision meant, when the Spirit said, "Listen! Three men are here looking for you. So get ready and go down, and do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them." (GNB)
We are going to study how the Lord answers our prayers at the right time. Our God always sends us help at the appropriate time.
A devout man of God
In Acts 10:1-2, we read thus about a man named Cornelius: “There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, who was a captain in the Roman army regiment called "The Italian Regiment." He was a religious man; he and his whole family worshiped God. He also did much to help the Jewish poor people and was constantly praying to God.” (GNB)
The bible talks about the place a person hailed from, their profession, and position to let us know that all of the records in the bible are historical facts. Cornelius was a man who was the captain in the Roman army regiment, and he had a hundred soldiers under his command. He and his entire family were godly, and he was one who gave much alms to the poor, and spent much of his time in prayer. We see that Cornelius had a great testimony amongst his people. However, as we read Acts 10 we realize that God wanted to move Cornelius to a higher level in his walk with God.
There are many people like Cornelius, who lead good lives, help others and are devoted to God. However, that is just not enough. God wants us to draw closer to Him, have a personal relationship with Him, which is just what God did in the life of Cornelius.
God took note
We read in Acts 10:3-6, It was about three o'clock one afternoon when he had a vision, in which he clearly saw an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius!” He stared at the angel in fear and said, “What is it, sir?” The angel answered, “God is pleased with your prayers and works of charity, and is ready to answer you. And now send some men to Joppa for a certain man whose full name is Simon Peter. He is a guest in the home of a tanner of leather named Simon, who lives by the sea.”
The angel of the Lord told Cornelius that all of his prayers and alms had been brought up to God as a memorial before Him. God gives detailed instruction as to how Cornelius was to contact Simon Peter, and invite him over to his house. Simon Peter was at that time residing in the house of Simon who was a tanner, whose house was by the seaside at Joppa. The Lord wanted Cornelius to grow in his understanding of who Jesus was, and in order for him to be taught, He had prepared Simon Peter to come over to meet Cornelius and his family.
Every time we pray and extend help to others it is being noted by God. Oftentimes, when we help others, they may disregard it. Also, when we pray people may slight us, and may think of us as being foolish. Remember that we have a God who cannot be seen with our physical eyes, but He is mindful of all that we do.
The vision and the visitors
As Peter tarried in prayer in the house of Simon the tanner, he saw a vision.
We read in Acts 10:17-18, While Peter was wondering about the meaning of this vision, the men sent by Cornelius had learned where Simon's house was, and they were now standing in front of the gate. They called out and asked, “Is there a guest here by the name of Simon Peter?” (GNB)
Simon Peter was so confused about the vision he had seen, when the men who were sent by Cornelius landed up at the house of Simon the tanner, where Simon Peter stayed. Remember that while Cornelius lived in Caesarea, Peter was at Joppa. Notice how God planned it so perfectly that the timing of the men from Cornelius arriving at Simon’s house was in sync with the time when Simon Peter had the vision. God told Simon Peter that he could boldly go with these men as they were sent by God Himself. When we read this account it is amazing to see how God united two men, who were praying individually in different places.
Children of God, we must keep in mind that there is definite reward for all of our prayers. Prayers are an indicator as to the extent to which we are dependent on God. Often we find no time to pray which implies that we are trying to do things in our own strength. If we do so, we will not be able to accomplish much, and we may also miss out on doing the will of God. Let us ask God to help us to commit everything to Him in prayer. Our prayers are a sign that we are totally trusting God, and not depending on our own strength. When we seek God for everything, we will find that God will bring the right people and unite them with us, which will help us grow in our intimacy with the Lord. So often, when we don’t pray we get associated with the wrong people who lead us away from the Lord. As children of God, let us learn to pray continuously to the Lord, and He will lead us in the right path.
Simon Peter was able to teach Cornelius all about the Lord Jesus. Cornelius was a good man, who prayed, was generous, and had a devout family, but surely that was not enough. There was no way that Cornelius could reach God except through Jesus. Therefore, Peter had to teach Cornelius about forgiveness of sins, how our sins separates us from God, and that Jesus took our sins on the cross of Calvary. After they heard Peter preach, Cornelius and his entire family put their faith in Jesus. They too received the assurance that their sins were forgiven, and were confident that they too had become partakers of the gift of salvation that Jesus offers. Once they believed they were all baptized, and with a good conscience made their covenant with the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit was poured out on them, and they received the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Both Cornelius and Peter prayed, and the consequence was that they were united by God, and an entire family grew in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
It is evident that God makes things perfect in His timing. We see how God united these two men in the most miraculous way.
Peter is imprisoned by King Herod
Sometime later Peter was imprisoned by King Herod.
We read in Acts 12:4, And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. (ESV)
Herod wanted to please the Jewish people, and with this intention, he threw Peter in prison. The date of Peter’s death was also planned, and this was to be done sometime after the Passover festival when most of the Jews would be gathered together. It was Herod’s thought that by so doing to Peter, he would put terror in the hearts of all the disciples who followed Jesus. Peter was kept in a secure prison with four squads of soldiers standing guard.
The church prayed earnestly
In such dire straits this was what the church was doing. We read about this in Acts 12:5, “So Peter was kept in jail, but the people of the church were praying earnestly to God for him.” (GNB)
Peter was in prison, but the believers in the church were praying most earnestly for him.
These days when we are faced with difficult situations, our immediate thought is whom can we approach or to whom we can petition to get ourselves out of these situations. It is becoming increasingly rare for people to go to God in prayer for hardships they encounter. Remember that the Lord gives heed to anyone who calls unto Him.
We are not sure how long the early church prayed for Peter, but the day for Peter’s execution was drawing close.
We will not be put to shame
Whenever we are challenged with some hardships we pray, but there is also a sense of fear and apprehension if our prayers will not be answered. Our hearts may fail us too but let me assure you from the word of God as found in Joel 2:26, “And my people shall never again be put to shame.” (ESV)
Peter sleeps through it all
Further we read in Acts 12:6, “The night before Herod was going to bring Peter to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. His hands were bound with two chains, and guards were in front of the door. They were watching the prison.” (GW)
Peter was to be executed the next day, but the Lord worked on his release just the night before.
God’s timing is perfect
We may wonder why this miraculous release did not take place earlier, and the Lord had to wait until the eleventh hour. If we understand the ways of God we will not be overwhelmed by such thoughts.
In Ecclesiastes 3:11, we read, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (ESV)
The thing that we have to do is to pray, and with faith wait for the Lord to work things out in His time.
The miraculous release
This is what happened as recorded in Acts 12:7, “Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood there, and a light shone in the cell. The angel shook Peter by the shoulder, woke him up, and said, "Hurry! Get up!" At once the chains fell off Peter's hands.” (GNB)
People may shut the door on you, but the Lord can send His angels who can pass through shut doors. It is an effortless task for the Lord to deliver His children though they may be shut in, and hard pressed in prison like situations. There are many people who are perplexed at the accusations and evil deeds of people who are against them. Through all of it if we can pray and trust in the Lord for He will deliver us, and raise us up.
Wait on the Lord
Often when faced with trials we try to work out so many solutions, but let us read this psalm to understand what we should do.
The Psalmist says in Psalm 37:7-9, “Be patient and wait for the LORD to act; don't be worried about those who prosper or those who succeed in their evil plans. Don't give in to worry or anger; it only leads to trouble. Those who trust in the LORD will possess the land, but the wicked will be driven out.” (GNB)
In general we tend to get annoyed or angry with those who do evil. Observe the life of Peter when Jesus was here on earth. He was the one who was always ahead of everyone, and his impulsive nature prompted him to act quickly. Even when the men came to arrest Jesus, Peter reacted, and cut off the ears of one of the men. However, this same Peter who knew that there was death impending him the next morning was fast asleep.
If we are those who have put our trust in Jesus, then we can be certain that nothing will happen in our life without God’s permission, for nothing is beyond His control. The word of God reminds us to be patient, and wait for God to act, and not be hasty to act on our own. If we act on our own we are bound to make many mistakes. Those who wait on the Lord, and trust Him will possess the land, while the evil doers on the other hand will be driven out. There are two things we can do, one is we can wait on the Lord, and be patient or else we can be angry, get annoyed and do the wrong things. All of us have these two options before us, and what we choose to do is up to us.
All doors are opened
In Acts 12:8-10, we read, Then the angel said, “Tighten your belt and put on your sandals.” Peter did so, and the angel said, “Put your cloak around you and come with me. ”Peter followed him out of the prison, not knowing, however, if what the angel was doing was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed by the first guard station and then the second, and came at last to the iron-gate that opens into the city. The gate opened for them by itself, and they went out. They walked down a street, and suddenly the angel left Peter. (GNB)
When the Lord begins to work even iron gates will open up on their own. There will be no hindrance when God is present with us. It could be the Red Sea, an overflowing Jordan River, a gang of rebels like Korah and his men. When God goes ahead of us, everything will be stilled, and every way will open up for sure. There could be ten men or ten thousand men who stand guard, but no one or nothing can be a hindrance when God is with us. No evil will befall God’s children without His consent.
The Lord heard the prayers of His children, and Peter was freed that night in a most miraculous way.
Even today continue to wait in God’s presence, pray and commit every situation into the hands of the Lord. While you stand still the Lord will fight your battles. Maybe this message describes your situation, but you are finding it hard to accept it. Set aside all your negative thoughts, and trust God to work on your behalf.
Peter was safe
This is what happened as we read in Acts 12:19, Herod gave orders to search for him, but they could not find him. So he had the guards questioned and ordered them put to death. After this, Herod left Judea and spent some time in Caesarea. (GNB)
King Herod had a major plan, and wanted to make himself popular. In one moment the Lord turned everything upside down, and the consequence was that Peter was safe, but Herod left Judea and went away to Caesarea.
When God’s children keep on praying, the Lord will keep us safe from all evil. There are two important points we learnt from this message. Firstly, when we keep on persisting in prayer, the Lord will give us the right opportunities, and will also unite us with the right people. Secondly, when we pray continuously, the Lord will transform all of our complex circumstances, and He will never let us be ashamed.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
