SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:1-11
“He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.” (Acts 12:2)
“The Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches.” (Acts 12:11)
Why did the Lord rescue Peter, but not James?
Why does the Lord heal some people, but not others?
Miracles and divine interventions happens, but not on demand.
‘Just believe’ or ‘just pray’ is not the key to getting a miracle.
Yes, the Lord do a miracle, but it all depends on His good purpose.
We need to trust the Lord, whether or not we see the miracle or intervention.
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Would you want a miracle that didn’t serve His purpose, or His purpose without a miracle?
I’m trusting that the Lord’s purpose – with suffering – will still be better in the long run.
Whatever happens, He assures us “nothing will separate us from His love!” (Romans 8:39)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I may not like how Your purpose works out in the short term. Help me to trust that in the end, I will be thankful for how Your good purpose worked in my life.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
This is how I see things as well with both of the important people in my life diagnosed with cancer. I don’t see it as God causing the cancer, but I see it as an opportunity for me to show Christ’s love especially because they have yet to know Him. To let them know I am praying for them and making myself available to them plants a muster seed, and I am trusting that God will make that seed grow. I know that He is using these circumstances according to His plan to work the good that He does in the midst of the uncertainty.
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Observations/Application
Why am I here?
Created for a purpose in this His world. My world belongs to God and as His follower I must be a living letter read by all those around me. Prayerfully I go onward in service to Him. I must must remember that at all times and in all things I serve a risen Saviour and my activities, my doing is my response in this sin fallen world. His Word is the sword. The world’s sword brings a physical death – an end to living here but and eternal life for all who believe. God uses people His wonders to perform. Living for Jesus brings persecution for some and deepens the prayer life for others. GodPower for all His people who live for Him. I too need to come ‘to himself’ – to my senses and see what the Lord has in store for me. He also has rescued me from Satan’s grip and set me in the Way I need to walk. Just do it. He equips and shows the Way. The journey of living in the way will have detours, bumps, construction zones, pot holes, near miss life happenings, but the destination is sure. In the meantime I must continue my walk with Him in all my adventures.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.