11/02/2022
Many Christians today have a defeatist mentality; they look at how the dark forces of the world have turned against God, Jesus, and the Church , and in their despair they proceed to wring their hands. So what are we to do when faced with such seemingly overwhelming odds? God’s Word tells us that we are to pray, and lean faithfully on Him. What we see today is not the first time that Satan has mustered his forces and marched against the Church. The history of Christianity is filled with such moments as these, and has always emerged triumphant. Are we praying as we should, or leaning sadly on our own misunderstanding of today’s events?
“About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.
So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”
Acts 12:1-3, 5 ESV
The forces of darkness continue to fight with the sword, and look to succeed against the Church, and God himself, by instilling fear, and doubt, into those who believe in Jesus, but just like Peter was miraculously released from prison, and God turned apparent disaster into victory by answering prayer, it will happen again to us today. Jesus still intercedes for us, God still hears our prayers, and the total defeat of Satan written about in the book of Revelation is as certain today as when those accounts were first written. Do we hold to our faith? Do we pray expectantly? Are we expecting to triumph even when all seems lost?
“Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.”
Acts 12:6 ESV
It was Passover, and king Herrod was going to hand Peter over to the Jews that very night. The expectation was that they would kill Peter… the rock on which Jesus said He would build His Church. There has never been a darker time but God moved in answer to the prayers of the faithful.
“And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.””
Acts 12:7-8 ESV
God answered the Church’s prayer then, and He answers our prayers today. We are not a lot different from the Christian’s who were praying that night for Peter. We have no idea how he will be delivered, but we have faith that our prayers will be answered, and that rescue will come. Just like it was with Peter we are often surprised, and wonder if we aren’t just dreaming, or seeing things; not because we disbelieve, but because everything in the logic of the world says that rescue is impossible.
“And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.”
Acts 12:9 ESV
We pray expectantly, God answers, and the miracle comes, but like Peter, we are still surprised when the answer arrives. We are so much like this; we want God to move, we pray for Him to move, but when He does, we find ourselves surprised. We pray in expectation, we know He can help us, but when He does so we act surprised and amazed. Listen to how Peter perceives the miracle of his rescue…
“When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.””
Acts 12:10-11 ESV
We say we are praying expectantly, but is that really true? Perhaps we say we are praying for action when we are actually praying subconsciously for the strength to deal with the outcome that the world believes is coming. We want the chains to fall off, and the doors to open, but all along our behavior, and actions, indicate that we are preparing to be executed, or defeated. If Peter felt this way, isn’t it likely that we will too? Does this explain the defeatist attitude of the Church today?
“When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!””
Acts 12:12-15 ESV
When our prayers are answered do we try to explain the answer away? Do we tell ourselves that it isn’t really a miracle, and that we are out of our mind, or perhaps that we are seeing things?
Brothers and Sisters our prayers will be answered, the Church will not be defeated, the chains will fall off, and the doors to Heaven will open. All of the effort being expended by the world in its attempt to defeat us will be for not.
Prayer:
Thank you Father for answering our prayers, and for surprising us in the many ways that you move in response to them. Help us Lord to overcome our defeatist attitude, and grab hold of the victory that you have promised. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who knows our heart, and reveals your will to us as we pray. Praised be your name for our certain rescue, and hear our thanks as we glorify you for surprising us with your mercy and grace… even when the sword of our enemy is preparing to pierce us. Humble us Father, and wash us with the blood of Jesus in the presence of all those who wish to defeat us. Let our love for them, and meekness, break their instruments of death, and show the strength we have in you. Hear our prays Lord, but even more, let the world hear us. In this way bless us, and restore the world. By our faith, and belief, make us triumphant, and bless us with your promised eternity.
“But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.”
Acts 12:17 ESV
Rich Forbes