Thankful when God says NO!

When prayer requests come for those who are sick or suffering, they almost always ask for healing and comfort. When anyone suggests that God could use those conditions for good and to accomplish His will, some are far more concerned that the suffering ends rather than God’s purpose for it is fulfilled and if that does happen, they can hardly believe it.

This morning’s reading tells of Peter being arrested and Herod’s intention to kill him. The church was praying, likely for Peter’s safety, but the text is silent on how they prayed. It just describes God’s response — and their surprise.

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. 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.” 

At that, the chains fell off and the angel bid Peter to follow him. At first he thought it was a vision, but after passing the guards and reaching the prison gate that opened by itself, Peter 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.” 

Peter went to the prayer meeting, knocked at the door and a servant girl heard him, ran to tell the rest, but didn’t open the door. 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!” But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. (Story in Acts 12)

They were praying for him so why were they shocked at the answer? I’m not sure about them, but I realized last night that even today if a miracle happens most Christians find human reasons for it rather than be amazed at what God has done.

Earlier in our lives, a family incident should have sent us into a panic, but God gave us pure joy, unexplainable joy, even though others involved were paralyzed with fear. This joy was a surprise for us also, and obviously a demonstration of God’s power. As we tell the story, some think we were just hard-hearted or a bit daft. We should not feel joy. Only those who have had God do one of those “only God” things in their lives understand our joy.

This shows me that that group praying for Peter were given a huge lesson that night in God's wisdom and power. Once it happened to them, they entered into greater trust in God. He then  showed them that He can deal with all enemies, in this case the one who wanted to kill Peter: 

On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. But the word of God increased and multiplied. (Acts 12:21–24)

Soon after that, Paul and Barnabas preached in a synagogue with another amazing result. They gave a history account of God, law, their failure, and the coming of Christ then said: 

Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: “ ‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’ ” 

The people begged these disciples to keep talking and many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear them. Not only that, when Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord too, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. . . .  And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:38–52) and increased boldness!

PRAY: God, You often use suffering and surprises to show us Your power and faithful goodness and to build our faith. Just asking You to remove the suffering means asking You to stop building our confidence and instead just make us feel good. While You love to answer my prayers, I’m really glad that have not answered some of them.