Acts Chapter Twelve
Chapter twelve starts out with more persecution of the church. King Herod had James, the brother of John, killed. When he saw this was politically expedient, he had Peter arrested with plans to put him on trial after the Passover. Beware of people who use other people for their own selfish gains. Life didn’t mean anything to Herod, another danger sign. James was the first of the Apostles to die a martyr’s death.
When Peter was arrested the church did what it is supposed to do, they called a prayer meeting. Prayer should be our first response, not last. We have heard this countless times, and, here it is again – there is great power in prayer. We have also heard that prayer IS the battle. That is so true, especially here in this situation. God stepped in, responding to the prayer, and Peter was supernaturally released from prison. Verse 5 says that the church earnestly prayed.
Earnestly!!! Powerful prayer!!! How many in churches today understand from personal experience what powerful prayer is? Probably not many. We need powerful prayer meetings. We need prayer meetings where there is such a hunger for God that nothing else matters. We need prayer meetings where we pray through. I think that is the kind of prayer meeting they had at Mary’s house in chapter twelve. When the church earnestly prays, there will be more responses like in verse 18, there was no small commotion in the prison the next morning when Peter wasn’t there. Many situations in life need a little commotion that comes from prayer.
There is one more concept in chapter twelve I’d like to point out. King Herod went to Caesarea. In the process of events there he made a speech. The response from the people was "This was the voice of a god, and not of a man". Then the Bible says that because he didn’t give the glory to God, He struck him with worms and he died.
Let’s talk for a bit about who should get the glory in life. When we try to take it for ourselves, we take something that doesn’t belong to us. Colossians 3:23 is a verse that tells us how to work in life:
23 "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"
All glory is to go to God. If you have talent, use and develop it. Then when you get praise, give it to God. Give all the credit to God, work hard and don’t worry who gets the praise. God deserves it anyway.
Well, those are my thoughts for today. Oh yes, one more thought. Verse 24 tells us that, in spite of all the persecution, the word of the Lord continue to increase and spread. May that happen here, today, as well.
