making the cut
May 14, 2009 READ: Matthew 4:18-22 [Jesus] said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” —Matthew 4:19 Every year, high-school seniors apply to their favorite universities and then watch the mailbox for the letter announcing their acceptance.It was different for teens in New Testament times. Jewish boys would often attend [...]
God’s colors
While Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him (v.5).
READ: Acts 12:1-11
Ever wonder how a black, shriveled sunflower seed placed in dark brown soil can grow into a tall, green plant with a yellow flower? This metamorphosis of colors and shapes reflects God’s creative and mysterious ways. We are often surprised by His work in our lives.
The bright, “light” tones we see at the end of Acts 11—believers being taught and giving sacrificially—are replaced by a dark and dangerous Jerusalem in Acts 12. King Herod was persecuting and harassing Christians to boost his popularity. He arrested James and Peter. James was mercilessly executed, and believers could see that they couldn’t simply expect God’s protection for the apostles and themselves. It was an anxious and uncertain time for the church. You can imagine believers’ thoughts, Where is God in all of this? When will He intervene?
So they responded by praying (v.5). Their current plight didn’t diminish God or the fact that He was in control. They trusted Him.
Prayer is the most natural and normal response for a heart that is dependent on God. If you’re truly counting on Him to do something, you will pray about it. If you are not counting on God, you will not call out to Him.
Oswald Chambers said, “We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.” The church in Jerusalem had lost James, and it appeared that God had not answered their prayers for him. Peter was in a perilous place, but they didn’t abandon prayer because everything was too dark. Instead, they prayed even more earnestly, and we read that Peter was later released to continue with God’s mission.
Like the early church, let’s trust God, pray faithfully and earnestly, and keep our eyes on Him. Brighter colors may be found just around the bend. —Kevin Gregory
What do you need to bring to God in prayer today? What “colors” in your circumstances are troubling you?
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