The Night God Didn’t Come Through

“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…"