READING: Job 25-27, Acts 12
“Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell.”
Acts 12:7
Sometimes it’s hard to understand the way God works, but we know He is in control. In Acts 12, we read the tragedy of James’ martyrdom AND the miraculous release of Simon Peter. Both were in jail, and both had the same angry king on their tail. God intervened in a mighty way with Peter, sending an angel to wake him up, remind him to get dressed, lead him past the guard posts, and ultimately direct him into the city via supernaturally-opened gates. The whole event was so unusual that even Peter “thought he was seeing a vision” (Acts 12:9).
James, the brother of John, received no such intervention, however. All we know is that Herod killed him “with the sword” (Acts 12:2). One church leader was delivered according to the plan of God, but another was martyred – also according to the plan of God.
Then, even the early believers struggled to believe Peter was free when he arrived at the home of John Mark’s mother. He knocked on the door and made himself known to the servant girl who recognized his voice, but the people in the house refused to accept her words: “You’re crazy!” they told her. . . . “It’s his angel!” (Acts 12:15). They were astounded when they realized that God had, in fact, freed Peter. Here’s what is amazing to me about this story – the same God who sovereignly determined the fate of John and Peter also sovereignly chose to call and use people who didn’t always understand Him or His power. In fact, this God used Peter powerfully in this story, even though the same man had previously been the fleeing disciple who denied knowing Jesus.
And now, God chooses sovereignly to use people like you and me. I don’t understand that plan, but I’m grateful for it.
ACTION STEPS:
- Thank God for His sovereign hand over your life.
- As you pray today, expect God to work in response.
PRAYER: “God, grant me faith to believe that You still work sovereignly, including in response to my prayers.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Job 28-19, Acts 13:1-25
