October 20, 2020: SOAP #3974:  Job 6-8; Acts 12

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 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.

Observation:  If anyone should have been praying, it should have been Peter.  But the Bible says he was sleeping so soundly that the angel had to strike Peter on the side to wake him up!   Peter logically should have been sleepless trying to think how he would defend himself. 

But Peter was not living his life for himself.  His life belonged to God.  It was for God to decide how to best use Peter.  Peter could sleep knowing that God would determine what would happen tomorrow.  He had been faithful doing God’s work; He could rest in God’s faithfulness to work through what was ahead. 

And we know that God did work it out for Peter’s good and God’s glory!!!

The church expressed their faith by praying.  Peter expressed his faith by sleeping.

Application:  If I have been faithful in doing God’s will for my life, I can count on God to take care of that which is out of my control.  I do not need to frantically call for help.  I do not need to twist people’s arm to get their help and support.  The Holy Spirit is far better than me in convincing people to help.  And if the help needed is greater than man can provide, then God can send an angel!   God’s provision is proof of His calling. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I cannot out-faithful you. I must be focused on what you give me to do.  I know I can trust you to be focused on what I cannot do.  I know the expression of my faith is powerful in your sight.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!