Acts 12 - 4.24.25
Acts 12:6-7
S – 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
O – The spread of Christianity was on the rise and King Herod began to arrest and persecute many Christians. Herod had already arrested and executed James, brother of John. That had met with approval among the Jews so he then had Peter arrested during the Passover celebration. This was a strategic move, since more Jews were in the city than usual, and Herod could impress the most people. Herod’s plan undoubtedly was to execute Peter, but the believers were praying for Peter’s safety. The earnest prayer of the church significantly affected the outcome of these events. Prayer changes things (everything in fact), so pray often and with confidence!
A – I loved the series Pastor did on Not so Suddenly. Pastor Katie kicked us off in January with the first sermon in the series, which was titled, “Prayer Paves the Way.” There are always some things that happen which paves the way/prepares the way for God to move. Then there is that suddenly moment when we get to see God in action. These suddenly moments usually follow our prayers. Those prayers may go on for days, months and/or years. In my own life, my husband and I had prayed for a baby. The first pregnancy came fairly quickly and ended just as abruptly with an ectopic pregnancy. We grieved, we prayed, we trusted God to bring us another baby. This time took 4 years and two more miscarriages…..then SUDDENLY, we were pregnant with Dominick. We were in the middle of 28-day prayer and fast and I was done. I told God, I’m sorry but please close the door for us or open it because I just couldn’t bear the pain anymore. I read a scripture that prompted me to run and take a pregnancy test and then…..Suddenly I was pregnant! Suddenly the trajectory of our lives changed forever! The good, the bad, and all the in between LOL. God had, and always does, have a plan. We are not in control of God’s plan for our lives and our only responsibility is to continue to abide in Him, worship Him, trust Him, and pray to Him. His timing is never our timing, so we need to patiently wait….
Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV) 3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it[a] will certainly come
and will not delay.
…and then SUDDENLY! What are you waiting for? What are you doing in the waiting period? Are you serving God? Worshipping Him? Tithing? Being generous and loving on others? He may be waiting for YOU to do something on your end before He moves, or it could just be that He is paving the way behind the scenes so that when you get what you are waiting for, you are ready for it and His timing will be perfect! Just because we want something so badly doesn’t mean we are ready for it. Let the author of your life tell you when you are ready : )
P – Thank you Jesus that your timing is always perfect for us because you have a plan and a purpose for each one of our lives. I thank you that in the waiting you are teaching me things, you are growing my walk with you, my maturity in You, and using me in ways that benefit your people and your kingdom. May I not focus on the things I am waiting for, but be productive for the kingdom while I am waiting. Help me to become more like you as I wait so that I am ready to receive your blessings and use them for your good! And when they come….suddenly…help me to always be in awe and live a life filled with gratitude! Amen!
- Crystal Flory
